Spectroscopic Unknown Puzzles from Real Data--A More Authentic Pedagogical Approach with Epistemological Implications
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| Title: | Spectroscopic Unknown Puzzles from Real Data--A More Authentic Pedagogical Approach with Epistemological Implications |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Brian J. Esselman (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Chemical Education. 2025 102(9):3901-3909. |
| Availability: | Division of Chemical Education, Inc. and ACS Publications Division of the American Chemical Society. 1155 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 800-227-5558; Tel: 202-872-4600; e-mail: eic@jce.acs.org; Web site: http://pubs.acs.org/jchemeduc |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 9 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | National Science Foundation (NSF), Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE) |
| Contract Number: | 2225025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Spectroscopy, Puzzles, Problem Solving, Science Education, Science Activities, Authentic Learning, Organic Chemistry |
| DOI: | 10.1021/acs.jchemed.5c00365 |
| ISSN: | 0021-9584 1938-1328 |
| Abstract: | We present example assessments featuring spectroscopic unknown puzzles, where the solution to the puzzle is the outcome of a known chemical reaction. These spectroscopic exercises engage students in a substantially more authentic manner than the conventional structure elucidation puzzles that are ubiquitous in organic chemistry instruction. Students use the same information available to practicing organic chemists, "i.e.," the chemicals added to the reaction vessel and information regarding the intended reaction outcome, to support their interpretation of GC-MS, IR, and NMR data. This centers the purpose of spectroscopy and spectrometry on understanding chemical phenomena, often chemical reactions, rather than on solving "inauthentic unknown puzzles" which are not connected to a chemical phenomenon. We anticipate that repeated use of spectroscopy and spectrometry in this manner will communicate to students why organic chemists highly value these techniques and how they are used to construct knowledge in organic chemistry. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1486863 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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