CHEM 351/3 web-based lecture (L01)

In Fall 24 and Winter 25 pilotted running a "web-based" lecture (L01) in both Chem351F24 and 353W25.
This decision was made based on several factors including course based observations made over the last couple of years, see below for more details.
This will continue in Fall 25 and Winter 26 for L01 in both Chem351F25 and 353W26.

During COVID and since (to winter 2024), in-person student attendance at 08:00 lectures was only a relatively small % compared to the number of students registered. Similar anecdotal observations have been made for many courses / faculties / times on campus and at other institutions around the world.

For Chem 351/353 here at UofC, part of this is likely the early time slot (which we were "gifted") and part is likely due to the fact that since COVID, we have continued to provide pre-recorded video content materials via D2L that students could use if they were not able to attend class for any reason. Or they can use them for review etc. For CHEM353W24, typical total attendance at both of the in-person lectures was below the room capacity of the larger lecture section. Be aware that since that start of COVID, there has been an explosion of on-line learning materials, but not all are created equal, and there are lots that contain errors. If you chose to use other resources, check the authors credentials and the affiliations of the sources.

Given that both Fall Chem 351 and Winter Chem 353 are multi-lecture section courses, we've opted to make one lecture section of 351F and 353W web-based. Some students have clearly been making that choice for themselves anyway. The students in the web-section will have access to pre-made video modules to watch asynchronously that will typically be posted within 1-2 days of the completion of the in-person delivery of that module.. There will not be a live synchronous online lecture. Students in the web-based lecture section will also be enrolled in a weekly in-person tutorial section and a weekly in-person laboratory section just like the other students in the course. The assessments (e.g. CAL assignments, midterm and final) will also be on campus and in-person with the other students in the course. There will be one single D2L shell for each of the courses (i.e. the web-based lecture sections and the in-person sections are one course).

Students in ALL sections can attend office hours (in-person), use the D2L video modules, and participate on the D2L discussion board etc. In summary, the only difference will be that students in the web-based section don't attend an in-person lecture. One advantage of this is that is creates flexibility in a student's schedule. Students have the choice to register for a web-based lecture or an in-person lecture, the rest of the course will be the same for all.

After the first year of the pilot, the challenge for students in the on-line sections are being motivated enough to keep up with the content and be doing the right things to learn and master the materials. There aren't shortcuts to learning technical content. I recommend that you think about that before commiting to L01, I don't think it's the best choice for everyone!

If you have any questions, please email me

Dr Ian Hunt, irhunt@ucalgary.ca

Updated June 10, 2025