ERIC Number: EJ1386339
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023-Jul
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-1756-1108
Available Date: N/A
Blooming Student Difficulties in Dealing with Organic Reaction Mechanisms -- An Attempt at Systemization
Chemistry Education Research and Practice, v24 n3 p1035-1054 Jul 2023
Students are known to have various difficulties in dealing with organic reaction mechanisms. A systematic classification of these difficulties appears necessary to design appropriate support. This paper presents insights into whether and how Bloom's revised taxonomy can be used to classify student difficulties in dealing with organic reaction mechanisms. We conducted an interview study with 12 undergraduate chemistry students using problem-solving tasks on nucleophilic substitution and elimination reactions to provide examples to test the classification. In our attempt at systemization, student difficulties are perceived as unachieved learning objectives. The classification reveals that student difficulties pertain to different cognitive process and knowledge dimensions. Specific major difficulties occurred within each cell of Bloom's revised taxonomy and for individual students. Our analysis suggests that general support for dealing with reaction mechanisms might be less beneficial for some students and that more adapted support is needed. Our approach of using Bloom's revised taxonomy to classify student difficulties might also benefit other domains to better understand student difficulties and evaluate appropriate support.
Descriptors: Organic Chemistry, Scientific Concepts, Difficulty Level, Taxonomy, Problem Solving, Undergraduate Students, Cognitive Processes, Knowledge Level, Individual Differences, Educational Objectives, Recall (Psychology), Comprehension, Evaluative Thinking
Royal Society of Chemistry. Thomas Graham House, Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WF, UK. Tel: +44-1223 420066; Fax: +44-1223 423623; e-mail: cerp@rsc.org; Web site: http://www.rsc.org/cerp
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
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Author Affiliations: N/A