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For Dr. Tara Todd and the chemistry department at Vanderbilt University, the primary hurdle wasn’t just imparting complex subject matter. Instead, they came up against preparedness barriers preventing students from reaching their full potential. Many students enter general chemistry—a foundational gateway course—and instantly feel science-phobic or intimidated by the subject’s reputation as a notoriously difficult class. Beyond the psychological barriers, Todd observed that many learners arrived with “rusty” math skills, which created an immediate gap in their readiness for college-level chemistry. “Often what we find is that the math that students are struggling with is math that they were exposed to in middle school. Maybe they’re familiar with calculus but maybe they haven’t seen algebra or geometry in years,” Todd shares. This lack of preparation was further compounded by traditional, static textbooks that students were increasingly reluctant to read or even purchase due to steep costs.
Todd also noted that in a standard lecture format, she was constantly met with distracted glances from students—many of whom played games on their phones or surfed the web rather than engaging in discussions. To protect student success and ensure they were equipped for upper-level coursework, Todd needed a solution that would lower financial barriers while providing a “scaffolded” approach to learning that focused on building both skills and confidence. It’s why she flipped her classroom and turned to Aktiv and Top Hat for help breaking down long-standing chemistry barriers.
To revitalize her course, Todd implemented a powerful combination of the Top Hat platform and Aktiv Chemistry, creating a cohesive ecosystem designed for active learning. A central pillar of this strategy is Readiness, a module in Aktiv Chemistry which provides students with self-paced, low-stakes math and science practice before they arrive in the classroom. This preparation is crucial—it helps students brush up on essential skills that are not only vital for chemistry but for their entire academic career. “I love that students can complete the Readiness modules at their own pace. It gives them a boost of confidence when they’re able to remember and recall content. Plus, Readiness lays a foundation to build on as they step into the semester.” By providing a dedicated space for students to master these fundamentals at their own speed, Aktiv Readiness directly addresses the “fear factor” and builds a solid foundation for more in-depth chemical concepts to follow.
Complementing this preparation is Top Hat’s Atoms First General Chemistry interactive textbook, which allows Todd to gauge student knowledge ahead of in-person classes. “We love the ability to edit and move chapters as needed. Top Hat’s visualizations and videos encourage students to read and deeply understand concepts on a molecular level, which helps them form a baseline understanding of material,” she says. The core benefit was Top Hat’s customization capabilities, allowing Todd to reorder topics as needed, leading to more productive in-class discussions. Both the textbook material and Aktiv allow for think-pair-share activities during face-to-face classes—keeping students accountable and incentivized to come to class prepared.
The impact of this pedagogical shift in the chemistry department at Vanderbilt has been nothing short of transformative for student outcomes. By integrating Top Hat and Aktiv, Todd saw a significant decrease in ‘D’ and ‘F’ grades along with withdrawal rates. “We’re now sitting at nine percent DFW rates. The way that we built both the Top Hat textbook as well as the Aktiv homework system into the course redesign, we saw significant success,” Todd proudly shares. These results are a testament to Aktiv’s Instructional Design team who supported Todd with building in scaffolding opportunities and low-stakes practice quizzes to master complex topics without the added pressure.
The true value of this approach is best reflected in the feedback from the students themselves. Todd recalls an email from a former student who shared how the course structure fundamentally changed his exam preparation. “He told me what he appreciated is that Aktiv offered a lot of low-stakes problem solving and he never had to go search for new problems to feel prepared,” she says. By aligning in-class peer collaboration with intentional homework assignments, Todd has ensured that every student has the tools to succeed. As that same student noted, the consistent practice left him feeling fully prepared to take any exam in her course.
Beyond academic performance, the transition has successfully dismantled the financial and engagement barriers that previously hindered student success. Students are no longer faced with $300 textbook fees for materials they might never open. Instead, they have access to an affordable, interactive digital experience that they actually want to use. By refocusing what happens in the classroom and ensuring students are truly ready through Aktiv’s Readiness module, Todd has created a sustainable model for student success that turns the fear of chemistry into a foundation of knowledge and lifelong confidence.
Dr. Tara Decuir Todd is Principal Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at Vanderbilt University. Her focus has been on classroom activities and curriculum development, particularly for general chemistry. Her aim is to provide an environment that encourages active engagement and learning such that students of all backgrounds can succeed and attain their career goals. Todd’s current research includes 1) the use of learning assistants (LAs) in the general chemistry classroom to provide a welcoming and supportive environment, and 2) the use of activities that enhance fundamental understanding of chemical concepts.
Senior Growth Marketing Specialist
Professors from over 700 colleges and universities use Aktiv Chemistry to engage students inside and outside of the classroom. Learn how some of them have transformed their courses.
One of our Learning Specialists will give you a tour of the Aktiv Chemistry or Aktiv Mathematics learning platforms and provide a free instructor playground account with access to the content library.
One of our Learning Specialists will give you a tour of the Aktiv Chemistry learning platforms and provide a free instructor playground account with access to the content library.
