Creative Assignments that Leverage Technology for Peer Collaboration

Neil Garg, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry, assigns projects that ask students to translate chemistry concepts into creative exercises. In his organic chemistry music video assignment, he has students form groups to create music videos illustrating chemistry concepts that in turn teach their peers. More than 1200 students in Neil’s Chem 14D course have worked together to produce more than 500 music videos about organic chemistry.

Digital Resources

Music Video Assignment Examples

https://garg.chem.ucla.edu/music-videos-2015

More than 1200 students in Neil’s Chem 14D course have worked together to produce more than 500 music videos about organic chemistry. These have collectively been viewed hundreds of thousands of times around the world. Check out some of the highlights at the link.

Digital Enablement

Giving students access to technology tools such as video editing software, digital illustrators, or even generative AI for creative group projects in STEM can create opportunities to articulate material in unique and lasting ways. Doing so can also foster a sense of belonging amongst the group and larger class.

Active Learning Peer Collaboration

Implementation Effort:

Substantial

Subject:

Chemistry

Use Case:

Assignment