Selected Publications

Raker, J. R., & Towns, M. (2012). Designing undergraduate-level organic chemistry instructional problems: Seven ideas from a problem-solving study of practicing synthetic organic chemists. Chemistry Education Research and Practice. Advance Article. DOI: 10.1039/C1RP90073K. (pdf)

Raker, J. R. & Towns, M. (2012). Problem types in synthetic organic chemistry research: Implications for the development of curricular problems for second-year level organic chemistry instruction. Chemistry Education Research and Practice. Advance Article. DOI: 10.1039/C2RP90001G. (pdf)

Towns, M., Raker, J.R., Becker, N., Harle, M. & Suttcliff, J. (2012). The biochemistry tetrahedron and the development of the taxonomy of biochemistry external representaitons (TOBER), Chemistry Education. Research and Practice, Advance Article. DOI: 10.1039/c2rp00014h. (pdf)

Becker, N., Towns, M. (2012). Students' understanding of mathematical expressions in physical chemistry contexts: An analysis unsing Sherin's symbolic forms. Chem. Educ. Res. Pract., Advance Article. DOI: 10.1039/C2RP00003B. (pdf)

Cole, R., Becker, N., Towns, M. H., Sweeny, G., Wawro, M., & Rasmussen, C. (2012). Adapting a methodology from mathematics education research to chemistry education research: Documenting collective activity. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 10, 193-211. (pdf)

Bruck, L. B., Towns, M., & Bretz, S. L. (2010). Faculty perspectives of the undergraduate chemistry laboratory: Goals and obstacles to success. Journal of Chemical Education, 87(12), 1416-1424. (pdf)

Harle, M., & Towns, M. (2010). A review of spatial ability literature, its connection to chemistry, and implications for instruction. Journal of Chemical Education, 88 (3), 351–360 (pdf)

Holme, T., Bretz, S. L., Cooper, M., Lewis, J., Paek, P., Pienta, N. J., et al. (2010). Enhancing the role of assessment in curriculum reform in chemistry. Chemistry Education Research and Practice, 11(2), 92-97. (pdf)

Raker, J. R., & Towns, M. H. (2010). Benchmarking problems used in second year level organic chemistry instruction. Chemistry Education Research and Practice, 11(1), 25-32. (pdf)

Towns, M. H. (2010). Developing learning objectives and assessment plans at a variety of institutions: Examples and case studies. Journal of Chemical Education, 87(1), 91-96. (pdf)

Bodner, G. M. & Towns, M. H. (2010). The Division of Chemical Education Revisited, 25 Years Later. Journal of College Science Teaching, 39(6), 38-43. (pdf)

Bruck, A. D., & Towns, M. H. (2009). Analysis of classroom response system questions via four lenses in a general chemistry course. Chemistry Education Research and Practice, 10(4), 291-295. (pdf)

Bruck, L. B., & Towns, M. H. (2009). Preparing students to benefit from inquiry-based activities in the chemistry laboratory: Guidelines and suggestions. Journal of Chemical Education, 56(7), 820. (pdf)

Bruck, L. B. Bretz, S. L. & Towns, M. H. (2008). Characterizing the level ofiInquiry in the undergraduate laboratory, Journal of College Science Teaching, 38(1) 52-58. (pdf)