Herbert R Fynewever


Herb Fynewever

Education

  • BS, Calvin College, 1994.
  • PhD, University of Wisconsin, 1998

    Professional experience

    • Associate Professor of Chemistry, Calvin University (College), 2009-present
    • Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Western Michigan University, 2005-2009
    • Assistant Professor of Chemistry, California State Polytechnic University, 2000-2005
    • Post-doctoral Research Associate, University of Sydney, 1998-2000

    Biography

    Calvin Faculty Profile

    Academic interests

      

    Research and scholarship

    My particular research focus is on the role of formative assessment inside and outside of the classroom. By formative assessment, I mean a process in which students receive feedback regarding their thinking and understanding while they are doing the work associated with learning. To further illustrate what I mean by formative assessment, contrast it with the more typical summative assessment. Often in schools, most assessment is summative: the teachers’ feedback is in the form of a grade and comments after students complete the test, paper, or homework. In this way, the assessment measures the result of learning but does not contribute (in any direct way) during the learning process.

    Publications

    Undergraduate student names appear in bold                        

    R. Joshi, M. A. Brantuo, E. Schutt, H. Fynewever, "Cultural Mismatches in the Multicultural Science Classroom," Journal of Underrepresented and Minority Progress, 1(4), pp. 127-142, 2020. https://www.ojed.org/index.php/jump/article/view/1198/1024

    Joshi, J. Kong, H. Nykamp, H. Fynewever, “Universities Shaken by Earthquakes: A Comparison of Faculty and Student Experiences in Nepal and New Zealand” International Journal of Higher Education, 7(4), 176-186, 2018. 

    Kuiper, R. VanOeffelen, S. Veldkamp, I. Bokma, L. Breems, H. Fynewever, “Formative Assessment and the Intuitive Incorporation of Research-Based Instruction Techniques” Journal of Excellence in College Teaching, 26(2), 125-157, 2015. 

    Gulacar, T. L. Overton, C. R. Bowman, H. Fynewever, “A Novel Code System for Revealing Sources of Students’ Difficulties with Stoichiometry” Chemical Education Research and Practice, 14, 507-515, 2013. 

    Petcovic, H. Fynewever, C. Henderson, J. M. Mutambuki, J. A. Barney, “Faculty Grading of Quantitative Problems: A Mismatch Between Values and Practice” Research in Science Education 43, 437-455, 2013. 

    Mutambuki, H. Fynewever, “Comparing Chemistry Faculty Beliefs About Grading with Grading Practices” Journal of Chemical Education 89, 326-334, 2012. 

    C. Henderson, H. Fynewever, H. Petcovic, A. Bierema, “Identifying the local impacts of national ATE Centers on their host institutions: An exploratory study” Community College Review 40, 2012; 3-24.

    M. Turner, K. VanderHeide, H. Fynewever, “Motivations for and barriers to the implementation of diagnostic assessment practices – a case study” Chemical Education Research and Practice 12, 2011; 142-157.

    M. Ludwig, A. Bentz, H. Fynewever, “Your syllabus should set the stage for assessment for learning.” Journal of College Science Teaching 40, 2011; 20-23.

    O. Gulacar, H. Fynewever, “A Research Methodology for Studying What Makes Some Problems Difficult to Solve.” International Journal of Science Education 32, 2010; 2143-2166.

    S.W. Ziebarth, H. Fynewever, G. Akom, K.E. Cummings, A. Bentz, J.A. Engelman, M. Ludwig, L.A. Noakes, E. Rusiecki, “Current Developments in Assessment for Learning in Universities and High Schools in Michigan: Problems and Perspectives in Mathematics and Science Education.” Journal of MultiDisciplinary Evaluation 6, 2009; 1-22.

    H. Fynewever, C. Henderson, S. Barry, S. Erwin, S. Hanson, M. Huber, M. Z. Lindow, and K. Mirakovits. “Honing teachers’ behind the scenes work: Pragmatic ideas from best practices.” Michigan Science Teacher Association Journal 53, 2008; 2-7.

    H. Fynewever, “A comparison of the effectiveness of web-based and paper-based homework for General Chemistry.”  The Chemical Educator 13, 2008; 264-269.

    P. Meyer, H. H. Hong, H. Fynewever, “Inquiry-based Chemistry Curriculum for Pre-service Education Students: Assessing by Juxtaposition with Direct Instruction.”  The Chemical Educator 13, 2008; 120-124.

    Widmer-Cooper, P. Harrowell, and H. Fynewever, “How Reproducible Are Dynamic Heterogeneities in A Supercooled Liquid?” Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 135701, 2004. 

    Y. Chen, C. Y. Shew, and H. Fynewever. “Molecular Alignment of Rigid Rods in Non-Rigid Spherical Pores.” J. Phys. Chem. 121, 1578, 2004. 

    Learn more about Calvin's excellent faculty and learning environment by scheduling a campus visit.

    Visit »
    ×

    • Course code:
    • Credits:
    • Semester:
    • Department:
    Top