Overview of the Chemistry Learning Center at
Michigan Technological University
Brief History
The Chemistry Learning Center was established in 1991 to serve as a resource
to assist students enrolled in first year and organic chemistry classes. Our
primary focus is on assisting students in making the transition from high school
to college level expectations and gaining confidence as well as successfully
mastering chemistry concepts.
For many years, chemistry was considered by many to be a “weeder”
course, an antiquated notion that we are trying to weed out students from our
university! Nothing could be further from the truth. With the establishment
of the Chemistry Learning Center, it is our sincere hope that we have put that
notion to rest forever. Today, we are interested in “cultivating”,
not weeding!!
CH0011 – Development of Chemistry Skills
CH0011 is a credit that students can enroll in for each semester they are taking
a first year chemistry class. The tuition is waived for this credit to encourage
freshmen to enroll. When a student is enrolled in CH0011, they can sign up (during
the first week of class) for any of the following options:
- individual, weekly ½ appointment with a chemistry coach or
- 1 hour per week mini-team (2-3 students with a chemistry coach) or
- team learning group (5-6 students for 3 hours a week with a chemistry coach)
To help you decide which option is best for you, please read the details that
follow.
Appointments and teams begin meeting the second week of class. The grade in
CH0011 is based on attendance (satisfactory/unsatisfactory). Our expectation
is that you will attend all of your sessions – that is the “secret”
behind the effectiveness of CH0011! However, you are allowed to miss one time
during the semester and you will still receive a satisfactory grade (3 absences
allowed if your group meets 3 times a week).
Enrolling in CH0011 is the most effective way to improve your grade in chemistry
and your understanding of the material. Most students who are enrolled in CH0011,
earn ½ to a full grade higher than students who don’t!
For more information, see signing up.
Individual Weekly Appointments
Individual appointments meet for ½ hour each week. You will meet at the
same time, with the same chemistry coach for the entire semester. This is the
best option for students who prefer to work one-on-one and like having individual
attention. This is also a good option for those who have full schedules and
can’t fit any of the other options into their schedule.
You are not limited to ½ hour a week, however. You are welcome to study
in the CLC or use our walk-in hours between appointments.
Mini-teams
A mini-team consists of 2-3 students in your class and a chemistry coach. A
mini-team meets for one hour a week. This is a good option for students who
would like to work with a couple of other students in the class under the guidance
of a coach.
Team Learning Groups
A team learning group consists of 5-6 students in your class and a chemistry
coach. A team learning group meets for 3 hours each week. The team members work
together doing homework problems, preparing for examinations and provide a fun,
social method for learning the material and meeting others in the class.
This option is highly recommended – students in team learning groups
rarely, if ever, earn less than a B in their chemistry course. The time commitment
is greater but, you’re going to have to put more than that amount of time
anyway, and the team approach is effective.
Other services
The Chemistry Learning Center also provides some other services and resources
for students.
Walk-In Hours
During our posted open hours, students are welcome to walk-in to get assistance.
We always have a walk-in coach available to help students. Students who do not
have a regular appointment or team are encouraged to make use of the walk-in
hours. Students who do have an appointment or team, are also encouraged to use
the walk-in hours to get additional assistance, if needed.
The CLC does get quite busy at times so the walk-in coach may need to divide
their time among several people. Please be patient – a coach will assist
you as soon as available. (This is another reason to enroll in CH0011 –
you have a scheduled time with a coach!)
Study Area
Sometimes it can be a challenge to find a good place to study. Whenever we are
open, students are welcome to come to the Chemistry Learning Center to study.
Coaches are available to help if you get stumped. During the evenings, we have
reserved the room across the hall, Room 215, as a study area for the CLC, too.
Resources
The Chemistry Learning Center has copies of the solutions manual for the homework
problems assigned and a library of chemistry textbooks to use as reference.
We keep notebooks of old exams and quizzes for students to look at. Computers
are available to access WebCT and online chemistry study guides.
Special Study Sessions
The Chemistry Learning Center coaches are usually available for special study
sessions in Wads Annex on the nights before the exams. The exam times and dates
will be announced in class.
Organic Chemistry
The Chemistry Learning Center provides walk-in, individual appointments and
study groups for organic chemistry courses. (Note: students in organic chemistry
should not enroll in CH0011; that credit is only for first year chemistry courses.)
Supplemental Instruction
Supplemental Instruction offers regular review sessions each week that provide
an chance for you to get together with people in your class to compare notes,
discuss important concepts, develop strategies for studying the subject, and
to test yourselves before your professor does, so that when he/she does, you'll
be ready! The SI leaders are students who have taken the class before and earned
a high grade. They are prepared to share with you what they have learned about
how to study effectively for your chemistry course. They know the course content
and are anxious to help guide you through it. They are in class with you every
day, taking notes and listening closely to the professor.
To find out more information about SI and the sessions offered this
semester, click here.
Chemistry Learning Center Coaches
The Chemistry Learning Center coaches are undergraduate students from a wide
range of majors who have recently been through the course, have a good understanding
of the material and a desire to help freshman students adjust to college.
The friendships that you develop with your coach and the other students in
the CLC will help you to fit into MTU and feel like you belong here –
which you do!
See link Who We Are.
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