Dr. Hershberger evaluated her students in CHM 111, Chemistry in Modern Society, on five different critical thinking essay responses.  All of these assignments ask students to connect chemistry content learning to real-world applications.  Two of these responses had a laboratory component.  She used the problem, perspective, evidence, and conclusions criteria from the Washington State critical thinking rubric and modified descriptors to make them more directly connected to her assignments.  In addition, she devised a laboratory report grading rubric based on the same criteria.  Dr. Hershberger found that most of her students improved in their ability to complete these assignments as the semester progressed.

Assignments

Hershberger Assignment

Rubrics

Hershberger Rubric