THE EFFICACY OF 3D-PRINTED MODELS IN THE LEARNING OF SPATIAL CONCEPTS IN CHEMISTRY
2023-09-14, 11:10– (Asia/Tokyo), Terrsa Hall A

Spatial concepts and intermolecular interactions play a pivotal role in chemistry. A thorough understanding of these concepts has long been sought by students at Institute of Higher Learnings and universities. There is a dire need for supplementary approaches to support meaningful learning in chemistry. In this study, the employment of ball-and-spoke and space-filled type coloured 3D-printed models in explaining spatial concepts such as aromaticity, stereochemistry and substitution reaction were explored. Specifically, the study examines the learners’ motivation (with respect to task value and self-efficacy) and perceived learning through mixed methods approach of quantitative survey and qualitative focus group discussion (FGD).
After a three-week exposure to three sets of 11 models, there is a statistically significant (p<0.05) increase in learners’ overall motivation. Data from the perceived learning survey confirmed: a) 3D-printed models help the learners in visualization of sub-microscopic spatial concepts; b) models were perceived to be useful for learning and c) dual usage of both ball-and-spoke and space-filled type models simultaneously helped them to remember substitution (SN) reaction. These results were triangulated by focus group discussion (FGD) which indicated that the learners find 3D-models aid clarity through 3D visualization; assist recollection of concepts through colour coding and add fun through interactions. The authors recommend the continued use of the 3D-printed models and the expansion to other lessons of the chemistry module. This study has the potential to influence the curriculum developers teaching these spatial concepts to include customized 3D models in pursuit of achieving higher learner motivation.


In this academic research, the impact of 3D-printed models on the learner's motivation and perceived learning of spatial chemistry concepts will be shared. The presentation will explain the design and printing of three sets of total 11 Corey−Pauling−Koltun colour coded, space-filled as well as ball-and-spoke models to facilitate the learning of spatial concepts, namely, stereochemistry and stereospecific ligand-receptor binding as well as steric factors in reaction mechanisms.


Keywords

3D-printed models, motivation, Self-Efficacy, Perceived Learning; Hands-On Learning

See also: Full Paper_NS_ISATE_Sept2023

Dr. Nikhil Sachdeva received the M.Pharm. and Ph.D. degrees from Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), India and National University of Singapore, in 2005 and 2012, respectively. He became a lecturer at School of Applied Science, Republic Polytechnic in June 2012. He teaches several courses on
Organic/Analytical/ Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Complimentary and Alternative Medicine and Formulation Science to Applied Science students. He is the author or coauthor of more than 10 papers in international refereed journals and conference contributions. He involves in both lab-based research solving industry problems as well as academic research involving 3D-printing, AR/VR, gamification. His lab-based research uses : (a) advanced analytical instrumentation for structural characterization, (b) chemical synthesis for development of New Chemical entities, (c) formulation research for pharmaceutical, food and allied industry problems.
involving problems cover