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A multi-institution collaborative team of Australian chemistry education researchers, teaching a total of over 3000 first year chemistry students annually, has explored a tool for diagnosing students' prior conceptions as they enter tertiary chemistry courses. Five core topics were selected and clusters of diagnostic items were assembled linking related concepts in each topic together. An ordered multiple choice assessment strategy was adopted to enable provision of formative feedback to students through combination of the specific distractors that they chose. Concept items were either sourced from existing research instruments or developed by the project team. The outcome is a diagnostic tool consisting of five topic clusters of five concept items that has been delivered in large introductory chemistry classes at five Australian institutions. Statistical analysis of data has enabled exploration of the composition and validity of the instrument including a comparison between delivery of the complete 25 item instrument with subsets of five items, clustered by topic. This analysis revealed that most items retained their validity when delivered in small clusters. Tensions between the assembly, validation and delivery of diagnostic instruments for the purposes of acquiring robust psychometric research data versus their pragmatic use are considered in this study.

This project utilizes visual and critical thinking approaches to develop a higher-education synergistic prelab training program for a large second-year undergraduate analytical chemistry class, directing more of the cognitive learning to the prelab phase. This enabled students to engage in more analytical thinking prior to engaging in the analytical action in the laboratory, motivating students to arrive at classes prepared to engage in the material rather than the mechanics (physical processes) of the practical exercises. This reduced the likelihood of cognitive overload at the beginning of the class. Video demonstrations were developed providing both visual demonstrations with audio explanations to reinforce each concept, and students were guided to these through compulsory prelab e-quizzes. The effectiveness of the program was evaluated by academic performance and an attitudinal survey. Attitudes toward the prelab program were very positive, particularly for the e-quizzes. There was no improvement on academic performance in laboratory reports; however, students reported that the prelab material had a positive effect on their learning, and that they were able to enter the laboratory with high levels of perceived preparedness. Given that student experiences in the laboratory are arguably as important as assessable outcomes, an attitudinal study such as this is extremely important.

The Science Threshold Learning Outcomes (TLOs) are a consensus set of academic standards for Australian university Science education. They were developed by Prof. Brian Yates and Prof. Sue Jones, supported by Dr Jo-Anne Kelder, during 2010-2011. The co-authors of this paper are key figures in Australian Science education, and in this manuscript, we have used a reflective semi-structured interview approach to describe the process of developing the Science TLOs and consider their subsequent effect on tertiary science education in Australia. This manuscript documents Sue and Brian's impact on science curriculum through the lenses of leadership, community and practice. We have a twofold aim: first to draw lessons for harnessing consensus in scientific communities on the value and purpose of a tertiary science education, and second to celebrate the success of these influential and impactful leaders in our community. We demonstrate how work to develop the TLOs has transformed tertiary science education in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To lead positive change in the teaching practice of teams that service large numbers of diverse students from multiple degree programs provides many challenges. The primary aim of this study was to provide a clear framework on which to plan the process of change that can be utilized by academic departments sector wide. Barriers to change were reduced by adapting and utilizing Kotter's principals of change specifically by creating a sense of urgency and defining a clear goal designed to address the problem. Changing attitudes involved training staff in new teaching and learning approaches and strategies, and creating a collaborative, supportive team-based teaching environment within which the planned changes could be implemented and evaluated. As a result senior academics are now directly involved in delivering sections of the face-to-face teaching in the new environment. Through promoting positive change we enabled deeper student engagement with the theoretical concepts delivered in lectures as evidenced by favorable student evaluations, feedback, and improved final exam results. A collaborative team-based approach that recognizes the importance of distributed leadership combined with a clearly articulated change management process were central to enabling academics to design, try, and evaluate the new teaching and learning practices. Our study demonstrates that a concerted focus on "change management" enabled teaching team members to adopt a major shift in the teaching and learning approach that resulted in measurable improvements in student learning.

Although there is no set chemistry curriculum for higher education institutions, the Chemistry Threshold Learning Outcomes (CTLOs) represent a shared understanding that was developed through extensive consultation with the tertiary chemistry community. The CTLOs have been implemented through the RACI accreditation process and in general function as intended. The term threshold is intended to represent a lower limit; institutions can and do go beyond the threshold. The Chemistry Threshold Learning Outcomes (CTLOs) have been implemented through the RACI accreditation process and indicate a shared understanding of what constitutes a chemistry degree in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]