From the Textbook to the Lecture: Improving Prelecture Preparation in Organic Chemistry

The yearlong sequence of introductory organic chemistry lectures was modified to encourage use of the textbook and to engage students to learn material before the lecture. Online prelecture assignments, which we have named HWebs, were used to provide structured motivation for students to read the textbook and begin learning material before they came to class. The HWebs were successful in getting students to prepare for lecture on a regular basis. A survey indicated that students felt positively about being encouraged to prepare for lecture.