Speaker: Dr. Justin Pratt, University of Rhode Island
Title: “'Seeing What Works and What Doesn't': Insights into General Chemistry Students’ Studying Decisions”
Abstract: Study habits questionnaires focusing on the study approaches students use, and the breakdown of time spent studying, have been primarily used to investigate chemistry student studying habits. While these quantitative approaches help understand student studying habits, little research has harnessed qualitative approaches to examine why students choose various studying approaches. Additionally, students’ studying approaches need to be better understood due to the disruption of education brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. To address this, the perspectives of 16 general chemistry students were investigated with interview questions focused on why students use specific studying strategies, their motivation and time management approaches, and how they adapt their studying based on failure or success. Inductive codes captured students’ perspectives directly, while deductive codes were created with Self-Regulated Learning, Cognitive Load Theory, and Desirable Difficulties as lenses to expand our understanding. Most participants described a lack of formal training in effective study approaches in their educational experience, leading to decisions being informed by beliefs rather than how effective study strategies are. When making decisions about using a strategy, students relied on their beliefs about a strategy’s ability to help them understand/learn and prepare them for an assessment, as well as specific suggestions from instructors. When discussing why students do not use strategies, they relied on multiple cues related to learning/content, effort, and previous experience, including not valuing a strategy, not knowing how to use it, and not needing it. Insights will be shared with implications for supporting chemistry student success.

The Chemistry and Biochemistry Departmental Seminar Series covers a broad range of fields in the Chemical and Biochemical Sciences. In past seminars, scientists from Academia, Government, and Industry have presented their most recent discoveries and contributions in their respective areas. This Seminar Series offers students and faculty the opportunity to interact directly with other leaders in their specializations and to gain a good overview of the entire range of fields in Chemistry and Biochemistry.

This seminar will take place in person. Students will also get the opportunity to meet the speaker following the seminar.