A Guided-Inquiry General Chemistry Course

Abstract

A first-year general chemistry course based on constructivist principles and the learning cycle has been developed. Through the use of cooperative learning techniques, students are active participants in the learning process. No lectures are given; students follow guided inquiry worksheets to develop and understand the course concepts. Groups of about four students are formed and the instructor moves among the groups, serving as a facilitator. The laboratory is designed in the same way as the classroom component of the course.