The Next Meeting of the Oklahoma Section

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October Meeting

Date:

Speaker: 

Dr. Renee Cole

Department of Chemistry

University of Central Missouri

Title:        

Encouraging Visualization and Developing Student Spatial Ability in Chemistry

Place:

Sawyer Center & Royce Brown Bldg.

Southern Nazarene University

Bethany,  OK 

Reservations:

Abstract:

      The focus of this project was on collecting and analyzing data to evaluate the impact of the integration of visualization activities throughout the chemistry curriculum. The data includes measures of spatial ability, cognitive expectations, and surveys related to how the students perceive these activities. This research project has also involved the development of process-oriented guided inquiry activities to address specific topics using Odyssey, a computer program that uses three-dimensional graphics and dynamics simulations to assist students in chemical visualization. Current work includes analyzing the impact of the use of these activities on the development of spatial abilities and attitudes. The presentation will include a description of the Odyssey-based activities and the preliminary data.

Biography:

      Dr. Renee Cole is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Central Missouri. She has a Ph.D. and M.S. from the University of Oklahoma and a B.A. in Chemistry from Hendrix College. She completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Wisconsin – Madison working with John Moore. While at Wisconsin, she focused on chemical education research projects, studying the impact of computer-based homework and tutorials on student achievement and attitudes. She has been actively involved with the New Traditions Project, the physical chemistry on-line (PCOL) consortium, and the Process-Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL) project. The focus of her research is on the impact of novel teaching strategies on student learning and attitudes. You can find more on her webpage at http://faculty.ucmo.edu/rcole.

Meeting Details:

• 6:00 PM   Social   Sawyer Center, 3rd Floor East

• 6:30 PM   Dinner  Sawyer Center, 3rd Floor East

• 7:30 PM   Speaker  Room 136 Royce Brown Bldg

• Menu:   Catered by Ted's Cafe Escondido.
   

• Cost:    

$14.00 – ACS Members 

$5.00 – Students 

Directions: 
 

The SNU campus is located between MacArthur and Rockwell on 39th Expressway.  A map of the SNU campus can be found at http://snu.edu/campus-map.  For the social period and dinner, use only the northeast doors when entering the Sawyer Center.  Parking is available in any of the campus parking lots.