The Effects of Improvised Molecular Kit on Student Academic Performance in Organic Chemistry

The complexity of naming and writing structures of functional groups presents a challenge for many students, often leading to difficulties in mastering fundamental concepts in organic chemistry. This underscores the need for an innovative teaching tool to improve students' understanding and attitude toward the abstract concept of organic chemistry. This study examined the effect of an improvised molecular kit on students' academic performance and attitudes in organic chemistry, focusing on the concepts of alcohol, aldehyde, carboxylic acid, ester, ether, and ketone. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design was employed, comparing the control group (traditional teaching methods) with the experimental group (using the improvised molecular kit). Pretest results indicated that both groups initially "did not meet the expectation" in all topics. However, posttest scores showed significant improvement, with the experimental group achieving higher mean scores, while the control group remained at a level of "fairly satisfactory" to "satisfactory." Statistical analysis ANCOVA confirmed significant differences (p < .001) in learning gains, demonstrating the effectiveness of the molecular kit. Furthermore, students' attitudes toward the kit were positive, with strong agreement on its ability to enhance engagement, understanding, and visualization of molecular structures. These findings suggest that the improvised molecular kit is an effective instructional tool, improving conceptual retention and fostering a more interactive learning experience. Integrating hands-on learning strategies in organic chemistry could significantly enhance students' comprehension and overall academic performance.