Organic Chemistry in Action! Developing an Intervention Program for Introductory Organic Chemistry To Improve Learners’ Understanding, Interest, and Attitudes

The main areas of difficulty experienced by those teaching and learning organic chemistry at high school and introductory university level in Ireland have been identified, and the findings support previous studies in Ireland and globally. Using these findings and insights from chemistry education research (CER), the Organic Chemistry in Action! (OCIA!) program was developed. OCIA! is an evidence-based program designed to facilitate the teaching and learning of high school and introductory undergraduate organic chemistry. The purpose of this program is to improve learners’ attitudes towards, interest in, and understanding of organic chemistry. The development and implementation of the OCIA! program has proven that the findings from CER can be effectively implemented into high school classrooms, working within the constraints of a prescribed curriculum. It is hoped that the ideas and approaches taken in the OCIA! program can be adapted for use at high school and introductory undergraduate organic chemistry in other countries. This paper details the design and development of the program by outlining the synergy of the key design criteria through a variety of teaching approaches: spiral curriculum; linking learning outcomes and assessment; formative and summative assessment; facilitation of cognitive development; guided inquiry; visual aids; applications-led, context-based, practical work; identification of and addressing misconceptions.