Diagnosing Understanding: A clinical approach to teaching general chemistry

Authors

• Yara S. Elrebey, University of Central FloridaFollow
• Keoni TembrinaFollow

Streaming Media

Files

Course Code

CHM

Course Number

4942

Faculty/Instructor

Dr. Julie Donnelly

Faculty/Instructor Email

Julie.Donnelly@ucf.edu

About the Author

Big thank you to Julie Donnelly for her passionate and considerate instruction of pedagogical techniques and methods that inform this project. 

Authors: Keoni Tembrina and Yara Elrebey

Abstract, Summary, or Creative Statement

This project explores a clinical approach to teaching and learning in a General Chemistry I classroom by framing student interactions through the structure of a medical visit. As learning assistants in a flipped classroom, we aimed to move beyond simply providing answers and instead diagnose the root of students’ misunderstandings using pedagogical techniques such as guided questioning, peer discussion, and addressing misconceptions.

Key activities included facilitating small-group problem solving, prompting students to explain their reasoning, and applying a structured framework consisting of “subjective” (gathering student concerns), “objective” (observing understanding), “diagnosis” (identifying conceptual gaps or misconceptions), “treatment” (guiding learning), and “follow-up” (ensuring transfer of knowledge).

Keywords

clinical approaching; general chemistry 1 support; ULA

Recommended Citation

Elrebey, Yara S. and Tembrina, Keoni, "Diagnosing Understanding: A clinical approach to teaching general chemistry" (2026). High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2026. 81.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2026spring/81