Mastering Chemistry relevance questioned
A new petition was introduced to Geneseo Speaks on Oct. 2 concerning the online class and homework associated with several chemistry classes. Eliminating Mastering Chemistry Due To Irrelevance, petitioned by freshman biology major Skylar Lumadue, claims that the Mastering Chemistry online platform is inapt and detracts from student education.
The petition has currently been signed by 80 people and reached its threshold of 75 people within three days. In the petition, Lumadue wrote, “When talking to these students about whether or not these assignments help their performance in class, they all conquer with me in the sense that it does not.”
Lumadue continued, “The professor was as well confused with the questions purposed and stated that the topics being mentioned were not those of concern for us students. However, since we have to attend to these assignments, it may not be a concern when it comes to a test, but instead to the effect of our class work grade.”
Jeffrey Peterson, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Department Chair, explained, “Mastering Chemistry is an online learning platform published by Pearson Publishing. Mastering Chemistry is used in multiple introductory chemistry classes at Geneseo (e.g. CHEM 116, CHEM 118, CHEM 203, CHEM 204). These courses serve primarily as major and non-major (e.g. biology and physics) requirement classes, although students who complete them also receive general education credit.”
Lumadue explained his apprehensions with the program. “It feels like busy work. I wouldn't care if it was more relevant or more direct with what we're learning in the lectures or in our readings, but it does not feel that way. And for that reason, I feel it is not only a waste of time, but it is a waste of just everything.”
“It may be good in some aspects, but overall, it lacks specific features,” said Lumadue. “I feel like the current professors [should] work together and [talk] amongst each other and [schedule] what [they’re] teaching as the syllabus states, the order of what we're supposed to learn everything. You would think that the current professors would correlate with each other and make sure they're teaching things the same way at the same rate.”
Peterson agreed that “no platform is perfect and Mastering Chemistry has pluses and minuses.”
Peterson did, however, expand upon the reasoning behind the Chemistry Deparment’s continuing use of Mastering Chemistry. “The Chem Department feels it provides a solid platform to learn chemical principles. We continually evaluate materials, value student feedback, and aim to continually improve to help students achieve their goals.”
There is, evidently, some divide between student and professor perception as a result of differing expectations and learning.
Lumadue explained, “[Mastering Chemistry assignments] are to a higher-than-attainable [degree], like they're attainable, but not really because we're not given the steps. So, you're expected to just be able to make that jump.”
“I understand that this is a biology school and that they make it purposefully hard. But if you're going to make it hard at least make it relevant. Let it help build us to be better students. I don't think this is building us to be better students in the future, it feels like it's work that's made to make you want to drop.”
“Science is social,” said Peterson. “Talk to your professor—they’ve likely been in a similar situation and may have had similar experiences. They may be able to help provide context, draw connections, or add new dimensions to the work/class that help engage students. Tutors, supplemental instructors, and other classmates can also be great resources to build community and develop effective support systems.”
Lumadue implored to the Board, “You need to engage the students to understand the value of what they're learning. If you can't engage the students to see the value in what they're learning, they will not push to learn.”
The petition on Geneseo Speaks is available until Nov. 20, 2021.