Traditionally, introductory chemistry courses are taught in a large lecture format in conjunction with smaller recitations and laboratories in which key lecture topics are enforced through algorithmic exam, quiz, homework, and laboratory exercises. It is believed that this school of thought, although properly instructing students on how to solve problems algorithmically, does not empower students with conceptual chemistry knowledge. The lack of conceptual understanding of chemistry principles mentioned above, has been vastly researched, yielding positive results when direct team learning methods are incorporated. For this study, the lecture, recitation, and laboratory format was essentially maintained, with one additional review opportunity offered to students : Supplemental Instruction (SI). SI is an interactive program that achieves student mastery of course content as students develop and integrate effective learning and study skill strategies. SI was implemented into General Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I courses at the University of Pittsburgh and evaluated according to overall effectiveness. The SI sessions were well attended and received by participating students and faculty. The successful implementation of SI into the above chemistry courses can be attributed to its aid in several difficult areas : mathematics, problem solving, conceptualization, theoretical, and familiarization with the chemical language. The logistics of SI implementation into introductory chemistry courses are presented.

Commentators frequently observe that the pace of social change accelerated during the 20th century. Processes of industrialization, demographic change, and human-induced environmental change all occurred more rapidly at the end of the century than they did at the beginning. While claims about accelerating social change abound, few studies attempt to explain it. This article tries to do so through a quantitative analysis of the changing pace of fertility declines over the past two centuries. It outlines two possible explanations for the acceleration: a social integration thesis which emphasizes our growing interconnectivity; and a 'latecomer effect' which attributes the accelerated processes to political efforts by elites in poorer countries who want to 'catch up' with more affluent countries. An empirical analysis of fertility declines provides support for both explanations. Increased social integration through the spread of common languages may have facilitated the transmission of new norms about fertility, and the creation of elite initiated family planning programs after the Second World War expanded access to contraceptives.

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PurposeThis paper seeks to assess the level of impact of COVID-19 pandemic on professional practice for members of professional organisations and the general public in the conduct of business. Investigations into practice using events, attendance records and registered views are carried out. The aim is to identify the challenges and actions being taken to mitigate against them in moving from physical (face-to-face) to virtual (online) mode of operations.Design/methodology/approachThe past two years have seen a complete change in the way we live from life at home, at work and in education. This has impacted the way professional organisations now conduct business including the need to revise ways of upskilling and sustaining practice. Core to all of this is the role of computing and communication for all persons in all works of life. The current study focusses on professional activities and support provided to members of British Computer Society (BCS), The Chartered Institute for IT. The authors examine the events provided, the conduct support provided to members and the general public. The method includes use of surveys of all stakeholders and analysis of data obtained.FindingsThe onset of COVID-19 pandemic was perceived as a real shock for everyone everywhere. Contrary to expectations, faced with the reality of having to do everyone online, the current study found that there were observed increased in the number of activities of professional organisations worldwide. Most interesting is that fact that the number of people participating in these events was found to be increasing using e-learning and other associated online tools and resources. Participants of these events were no longer restricted to local members but widespread globally. There was the appetite for more events to be put up and willingness for more individual and groups to volunteer and/or participate.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of current study are that only a few of the many activities have been investigated in this one professional body, BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT. The fact that more events are now being carried out for the many groups and branches implies a lot more digital data would be available for further study to inform developments of members and the general public.Practical implicationsThe impact of COVID-19 pandemic is a huge and evolving. It remains and presents a complicated case for the world to deal with. Amongst the many realities is that living life online has become a new normal and one everybody must learn to adjust to. Professional organisations such as the BCS would need to think of not only their members but also the general public and how well society and business can be sustained going forward. This involves considering developments of educational resources and appropriate platforms to meet the needs of the public, private and the voluntary sectors in society.Social implicationsDue to restricted physical (face-to-face) interactions, previously developed processes would require reviewing. New informed policies would need to be developed and implemented by professional organisations on revised practices resulting from impact of the pandemic. The emanating global participation from local activities presents challenges involving time, space (geographical location) and cultural differences. The digital divide that exists in society and access to the fast and reliable Internet services are also worth considering.Originality/valueThe impact of COVID-19 on professional practice applied to education and business is important in the face of the many and varied challenges everyone is facing everywhere in the world. This has been intense at home and at work globally. Although the true cause is yet to be established, it is important that ways to address challenges and continue with life are found and implemented. This paper establishes some of the impacts and present recommendations that are useful in forging ahead for people in the information technology profession.