Overview

Workshops (or Peer-led Team Learning in the science literature) are experiences in active learning: students actively solve problems to reveal where the difficult or obscure steps might be, and then cooperatively progress through the learning exercise. It has been demonstrated in many studies on learning that the outcome far exceed the independent learner. Why? Students are expected to communicate with each other which requires a higher level of comprehension than self-learning. Students quiz each other which places demands on the better students to re-interpret ideas and concepts in alternative and unanticipated ways, thus improving their own understanding. So good students get better, and weak students get stronger. At the same time, students learn to be part of a team, an oft-heard expectation from potential employers.

Our own research here at IUPUI shows that we have experienced as high as a 60% increase in students receiving C or better grades compared to the past with students participating in traditional recitations. PLTL works. And more importantly, it works for our students.

The second consequence is the positive outcome for students who ultimately become peer leaders. These students experience better performance in subsequent chemistry classes, and better performance on standardized exams so often required for admission to graduate or professional schools. So think about whether a Workshop experience is right for you and is in your future.

The C105 Workshops are two-hour active-learning sessions in which students in the course will practice doing challenging problems collaboratively. Chemistry content, communication skills and good teamwork practices will be emphasized in these peer-led sessions and students will be expected to be active participants. The Workshop manual contains all the required Workshop units (do not use workshop books from prior semesters). Each unit contains some descriptive material, a "Self-Test", a "Workshop" section, and a "Post-Workshop Exercises" section.

1.  Students will arrive at class with the Self-Test section already completed. The Peer Leader will record complete Self-Tests at the beginning of the class. Points are assigned for having completed the Self-test (prior to the Workshop session).

2.  During the Workshop Sessions, students will collaboratively complete the Workshop section (do not complete the Workshop part of the Unit prior to the Workshop session). Points are awarded for completing the Workshop during the Workshop session. Points for the Workshop are assigned based on active involvement, participation, and cooperation during the Workshop period.

3.  The final section of each Unit is the Post-Workshop Exercises section. These are completed after Workshop and serve to help review and examine your knowledge of the Unit. No points are assigned for the Post Workshop Exercises.

Attendance is mandatory, and prompt arrival at recitation sections is required for all C105 students. Workshop work cannot be made up. If you ever miss a workshop session due to a legitimate, documentable problem, notify your instructor immediately and provide written documentation justifying the absence.