The Flipped classroom technique to improve students’ understanding of concepts in Physical Chemistry coursework

Abstract

Physical chemistry (PChem) students often have negative perceptions and low expectations for success in PChem, attitudes that likely affect their performance. Students mostly struggle in understanding the fundamental theoretical concepts and their application in solving complex numerical problems in PChem during their first year in undergraduate programme. To help students in learning to solve the problems related to PChem course, flipped classroom modules was implemented for small number of PChem students (CEB1023/CDB1023). The flipped classroom is a pedagogical approach that moves course content from the classroom to homework, and uses class time for engaging activities and instructor-guided problem solving. It is a strategy in which students must undergo self-study prior to the actual classroom. Learning materials such as video, notes and postcards would be given to students prior to the commencement of the class. While, during the class more collaborative activities to engage student learning such as group activities and face-to-face (F2F) engagement with lecturer. The main motive of this study is to increase students’ motivation and understanding of PChem course by implementing the computer technology (particularly internet applications multimedia properties) during their teaching and learning process. Besides assessing the students’ deeper understanding, the findings from this study will be utilized to assess the impact of flipped classroom as well as the effectiveness of the computer technology on students’ exam performance and motivation. Also, the findings may enhance lecturers’ understanding on how to apply the flipped classroom model in ways that are most beneficial both for students and lecturers. By combining collaborative activities and F2F approach (during the class), it would enhance students’ learning and finally becomes independent learners which is one of the main attributes of UTP graduates.