JNU Launches MOOC Course in Organic Chemistry on SWAYAM Portal

With the aim to improve the M.Sc Organic Chemistry Pass Percentage Jawaharlal Nehru University has launched a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in Organic Chemistry 1 on the SWAYAM Portal. The course comprises of 40 modules and 4 credits in total. The course is gaining huge popularity, till now 2,000 students from India and abroad have opted for this course.

With the help of the Indian Institute of Technology - IIT Bombay, an Augmented Reality (AR) based software for mobile devices named StereoChem was designed. This software is being used to conduct the MOOC of Organic Chemistry 1 by JNU. This software is interactive in nature and features like cross-word puzzle o the topic has been introduced to make learning more attractive for the MOOC learners.

The Vice-Chancellor of JNU, Prof M Jagadesh Kumar informed that Organic Chemistry has a vast syllabus which is covered in a very fast pace which results in fear of the subject among the students of Organic Chemistry. Interactive animation based games, puzzles, 3D modellings have been included in the MOOC in order to remove the fear of Organic Chemistry among the students and will result in positive outcomes.

Professor BS Balaji, who is the Associate Professor of the Department of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, who played the key role in developing the course said that complex spatial molecule arrangements are sometimes studied in the syllabus of chemistry. For learning these topics, access to 3D models in an important thing. With the Visual App based on augmented reality technology, a student can scan a specific marker code on the Image which acts similar to the popular QR Codes and get visually interactive spatially enhanced 3D models of the same. It will also allow students to answer the teachers’ questions directly on the worksheet.

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While speaking on the utilisation of crossword puzzle in assessment, Mr Balaji said that the crossword puzzle will help students to answer accurately as it has no chance for blind guesses. Many study findings talk about the benefit of crossword puzzles to enhance analytical and problem-solving skills among people. It also boosts self-confidence by cultivating a sense of achievement within the learner.

According to a report of All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), a continuing decline in the pass percentage of students in M.Sc Chemistry is seen for 6-7 years. The pass percentage of M.Sc Chemistry was 46.75% in 2011-12 and in 2016-17, it touched 33.43%.

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Prof Balaji said that there is a gap between the academicians and the teaching process which resulted in dipping pass percentages over some years, to address this, this MOOC will be beneficial. Mr Balaji also informed that as many as 230 faculties have joined the programme which indicates that the teachers are open to adopt innovative teaching methods.

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