Chemistry & other STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) deal with a vast amount of interrelated information and many abstract concepts. This large, diverse assortment requires us to recall and use information to construct mental images of a world that often cannot be seen directly, but which can be inferred from observations and measurable data. Molecules and atoms are too small to be "seen" in a direct simple way and with a clarity that we normally have in seeing our surroundings and each other. But, technological tools allow us to develop mental images of many phenomena by inference. This general method is commonly used to understand our environment, not just on a micro- scale that includes viruses, bacteria, proteins, enzymes, and much, much more, but on very large macro scales: planets, stars, solar systems, and galaxies.

The observable information, data and their mathematical treatment tend to be "hard" (i.e. relatively absolute and concrete: e.g physical properties and chemical reactions that follow well defined rules and formulas......but not necessarily "hard" as in difficult). This "hard" information is used to develop and communicate "soft" or logical, most often easy to understand, atomic and molecular concepts, ideas and models that represent these abstractions as simply and reasonably as possible. The intellectual challenge is to be able to effectively deal with the very different "hard" and "soft" aspects. What works best for me may not work best for you, since our perceptions are usually different and we very likely rely more or less heavily on a variety of different approaches.

There are many possible ways to remember facts and to apply them, which can be more or less effective. Educational testing and experimentation have produced an idea of the various styles of learning that people employ. I understand the relative importance of my learning styles and concentrate on the principal ones that work best for me. In this first exercise, you will learn something about your learning styles, and hopefully what might work best for you.

Will you readily remember the information that you just read and be able to use it? Some of you will and some will not. Ask yourself, how else you could have gotten this information without reading the words? Would an alternative have been better? What is the best way for you to optimize mental recall and the application of information? One thing that is certain, since there is such an overwhelming amount of new information to deal with in our lives in general, forced memorization is not efficient and in many cases not effective, except perhaps for those very few of us with "photographic" memories. What are your alternatives?

Instructions:

1) Complete the following survey. Place a check in the appropriate box after each statement and tabulate the results. Click here for a printable table that can be used to record your answers and tabulate the results.

2) Relate the results to your study habits.

3) Complete the on-line form at the end of this page. Be certain to complete and submit after answering all of the questions in the form. In-progress work is not saved; so be sure to submit complete information. (If you make an error, make another submission. Your last submission will be the one of record.)

SCORING: Use the answered questions and place a point value (OFTEN = 5 points; SOMETIMES = 3 points; SELDOM = 1 point) next to the corresponding question number. Total the points in each column to obtain the preference scores under each heading.

Learning Style Scoring Grid

TOTALS:

Your learning style will include components of all three types. The maximum score per column is 40, the minimum 8 and the median 24. If your score is above 24, you have a preference for this style. The higher the score, the stronger the preference. Conversely the lower the score, the less you rely on this style. Your strongest learning style is the style that suits you most. It does not mean that other styles are not useful. You will notice similarities and some repitition in the study descriptions and suggestions for each style. The suggestions are not complete.

VISUAL learner: look at all study materials. Use text, handouts, outlines, videos, notes, CD-ROMs, images, models, animations, etc. Practice visualizing concepts in your mind. Illustrate concepts. Develop simple storyboards for dynamic processes. Write out or keyboard important information, organize it, access it frequently and review it by asking yourself "what if" type questions.

AUDITORY learner: develop and use every opportunity for listening to information related to the course. Taping lectures. Participating in group exercises. Joining a study group. Articulating concepts to others and then discussing them.

TACTILE learner: write or keyboard information while you are thinking of it, organize it, access it frequently, revise it and review it. Take, organize and keep detailed lecture notes. Edit the notes. Add your comments with references to other sources. Make and frequently update study aids: flashcards, study sheets, etc. Illustrate concepts on paper. Develop simple storyboards for dynamic processes. Use models: real and computer generated.

Learning Style Survey questions vary, but their results generally agree.

Assignment

Complete the following on-line form. Be certain to complete all of the questions in the form and submit only after answering all of them. In-progress work is not saved; so be sure to submit complete information. (If you make an error, make another submission. Your last submission will be the one of record.)

Be certain that the e-mail address that is entered in the on-line form is the e-mail address of your personal account that only you use. This will be the main communications link for you to receive Chem 108 course information, both personal and class information.

Submit on-line. You will receive Once correctly submitted and received, you will be credited with a perfect quiz score for this first class assignment. Dr. R. will e-mail an acknowledgment to the e-mail address that you provide in the form the week after the assignment deadline passes. It is an all or nothing assignment. If a complete form is not received by the deadline on the course calendar page, you will receive a zero for the assignment, which will put your Chem 108 class success at serious risk from the outset since e-mail and the Internet will be the primary avenues of communication in Chem 108, and timeliness is most highly valued. Late submissions are not digitally recorded after the deadline passes and zeroes are entered. NOTE: Again, be sure to provide an e-mail address that is for your OWN personal account; one that Dr R. can absolutely rely on to contact you. Otherwise you may not receive important course information. Thank you.