Is it possible to design a relevant syllabus for Level I Chemistry?

Abstract

Our Department has been involved in a major review of our Level I Chemistry subject over the past 3-5 years. The reasons for the review included a realisation that both staff and students needed to be aware of new paradigms in learning and teaching and that changes in pedagogy would necessitate changes in the presentation format of subjects as well as their method of assessment. Rapid changes in computer technologies are causing staff and students to reconsider the format of their learning and teaching environment. We must regularly assess the importance of current concepts and appropriate modes of delivery for educationally relevant material. In addition to the factual information that students must assimilate, chemical educators need to provide students with a framework within which the information can be used in a constructive manner.