The Effectiveness of Using Web-Based Pre and Post Laboratory Activities to Implement Student Active Strategies For Introductory Chemistry Laboratories

Fundamentals of Chemistry is a survey of chemistry course for non-majors at Southwest Missouri State University. Web-based pre- and post-lab activities were developed to incorporate student active strategies into two guided inquiry labs that use probes for data collection, solution conductivity and gas laws. These activities were compared to traditional pre- and post-labs in a two semester quasi-experimental design. Student achievement was measured by the sum of points earned on a lab exam questions for solution conductivity and gas laws. Exams were scored by three independent raters. The treatment group scored significantly higher than the control group on the lab exam questions related to both topics. However, instructors also had a significant effect on student achievement. Student attitudes toward web-based activities were positive; they responded especially favorably to an interactive activity. Further research should focus on the addition of post-lab discussions and implementation of interactive web-based activities for more laboratories during the semester