Richard D. Sands Alfred University Alfred, N e w York 14802
Systematic Flash Cards for Organic Chemistry
Terror1 cards, systematic flash cards with a punch card code, are used at Alfred University as a study device by beginning students in organic chemistry. Systematic study is directed by the classification of reactants, product,^, and type of reaction. In addition to the usual flash card technique of having the reactants on one side and the products on the other, Tcrror cards have: a classification number, a punch card system, and a sequential number. The classification number assigned each card has three parts: a number for the class of the organic reactant, a capital letter for the type of reaction, and a number for the class of the organic product. The punch card system is keyed to the classification n~mber.~ Each card has a row of twelve holes along the top edge. Proper notching of the first five holes
place the reactant into one of twenty classes. The last six holes similarly classify the product,. Xo provision has been made for sorting the cards by reaction type. The sequential number on each card helps the student by indicating approximately the time in the school year the reaction is first considered. For example, the card showing the reduction of phenol to cyclohexanone, 205 H 112, has the tops removed from holes two (alcohol) and six (aromatic) for the reactant and from hole eleven (carbonyl compound) for the product. It must be emphasized that these cards comprise a study device for the beginning student, not a library, not a summary of all preparative methods of organic chemistry. When aliphatic and aromatic compounds are considered separately, the use of Terror cards continually enforces the consideration of reaction types as well as specific rcartions. Teacher Ezpects Rapid Recall of Organic Reactions. The author will supply details of the classification and puuch c a d systems upon request. 1
a
606 / Journal of Chemical Education
