Inquiry-Based Chemistry Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
A special issue of Education Sciences (ISSN 2227-7102).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2024) | Viewed by 1230
Special Issue Editor
2. Chemistry Department, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
Interests: inquiry-based instruction; STEM education; faculty and teaching assistant pedagogical development
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
In higher education, chemistry courses have traditionally been viewed by instructors and students alike as ‘weed out’ or ‘gateway’ courses that have high failure rates, particularly for students with identities that have been historically marginalized or excluded from higher education. In the past twenty years, researchers and professional organizations have called for undergraduate chemistry course reform to integrate authentic, active, evidence-based practices that support all students in being successful.
One such reform-based pedagogical approach, and the focus of this Special Issue, is inquiry-based instruction, defined broadly as a pedagogical approach where students engage in analyzing evidence to answer a question, either individually or collaboratively, with varying levels of scaffolding from the instructor.
Research over the last 50 years demonstrates the benefits of inquiry-based instruction, yet more recent research suggests that lecture and cookbook labs still predominate the chemistry curriculum. Other recent research demonstrates that even when courses use inquiry-based instruction, inequities in student performance still exist.
Thus, the focus of this Special Issue is on equitable inquiry-based instruction seeking to better understanding what about inquiry-based instruction works and for whom. Original research articles (quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods), theoretical/conceptual articles, and systematic reviews are welcome to this issue. Potential themes may include, but are not limited to:
- Strategies for the adoption of inquiry-based instruction.
- The integration of principles of equitable/inclusive inquiry-based strategies.
- The role of instructors/teaching assistants in inquiry-based courses/labs.
- Counternarratives on student experiences in inquiry-based courses.
- Characteristics of inquiry-based instruction that benefits all.
Articles that use novel methodologies, integrate theory with research, and emphasize the importance of equity in inquiry-based instruction are particularly welcome.
Dr. Lindsay B. Wheeler
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Education Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
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Keywords
- inquiry-based
- chemistry
- undergraduate
- equity
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