Peer-Led Teaching in Chemistry

Students will learn to become peer-leaders for workshops held in either Essentials of Chemistry, General Chemistry, or Organic Chemistry. Topics include multiple intelligences and differences in learning styles, basic theory of learning, and issues related to race, class, and gender. This course will support students, who are simultaneously acting as peer-leaders for workshops in other chemistry courses. Students will learn basic pedagogical theory and techniques, and gain practical experience in the classroom. Students will model how to lead specific workshops, followed by actual application by acting as peer-leaders for the same workshops in the classroom. All peer-leaders will be required to have completed the course with B or better for which the workshops are designed. Selection of peer-leaders will be based on both academic performance and on a subjective evaluation of their potential as teachers. All workshop leaders will be required to take this course simultaneously with their first semester's experience as a leader.