First Lab Something: promoting proper laboratory learning through - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

“First Lab Something…”:

promoting proper laboratory learning through intelligent course design?

We warmly encourage you to:

• Interrupt;
• Ask questions;
• Ask questions;
• Make comments; or
• Debate with us

during our delivery.

The context:

The power of labs; Labs and employability; Labs and course requirements.

Intelligent lab course design:

The transition between level 1 and level 2; Trying to solve the problems

Final remarks:

Remaining issues / deficiencies

“Science is a difficult subject.” Abstract ideas can be made “real” in the lab. The lab can give us so much more…

• Unique and unusual variety.
• Commune environment.
• Intellectually and manually challenging.
• Regular occurrence.
• Regular occurrence.

Naturally linked to employability!

• Numeracy
• Critical of information and measurements
• Independence of thought
• Time management
• Make accurate observations / measurements
• Make accurate written transcriptions of events
• Good verbal and written communication
• Good verbal and written communication
• Good negotiation and motivation skills
• Able to make and maintain relationships
• Seize ownership of given tasks
• Show self reliance and initiative
• Problem solving
• Stamina

Do we deliver employability?

Spotlight on L1-L2 transition

Intelligent course design

Consequence of L1-L2 transition

Quick preparation Blind panic Recipe following Stress Inadequate reporting Unsystematic recording

Coping Strategies?

Employability?

Quick preparation Blind panic Recipe following

• Numeracy
• Being critical
• Independence of thought
• Time management
• Accurate recording

panic Stress Inadequate reporting Unsystematic recording following

Coping Strategies?

• Accurate reporting
• Communication
• Group/team work
• Self motivation
• Self-reliance & initiative
• Problem solving
• Stamina

Group & Team Work

• Benefits

– Negotation/motivation – Communal time management

• Disadvantages

– Negotation/motivation – Communal time management management – Interpersonal skills – Conflict management – Peer tuition – Mutual reinforcement management – Interpersonal skills – Conflict management – Peer tuition – Mutual reinforcement

Employability?

• Numeracy
• Being critical
• Independence of thought
• Time management
• Accurate recording

Quick preparation Blind panic Recipe following

• Accurate reporting
• Communication
• Group/team work
• Self motivation
• Self-reliance & initiative
• Problem solving
• Stamina

panic Stress Inadequate reporting Unsystematic recording following

Coping Strategies?

Quick preparation

• Pre-laboratory assignments

– Task planning – Practising unfamiliar analysis

• Hopefully

– Banish cooking & start experimentation – Increase What/Why understanding – Time management & self reliance

Unsystematic recording

• Lab Notebook assessment

–Formative & summative assessment

• Repetition

–Reinforcement

Inadequate reporting

• Report quality or chemical analysis?
• Focussed assessment

DON’T PANIC

• First laboratory expericence sets precedent
• FLS initiative

– Time to settle in – Time to settle in – Skills focus

• Initial evaluation

– Settling in time appreciated

Employability?

• Numeracy
• Being critical
• Independence of thought
• Time management
• Accurate recording

Quick preparation Blind panic Recipe following

• Accurate reporting
• Communication
• Group/team work
• Self motivation
• Self-reliance & initiative
• Problem solving
• Stamina

panic Stress Inadequate reporting Unsystematic recording following

Coping Strategies?

Remaining issues.

• Repetition.
• Tuition is variable.
• Group work.
• Experimental design.
• Experimental design.
• Freedom to Explore.
• Undergraduates having a Postgraduate

attitude.

• Critical thought.

Contributors

• Dr. Jenny Burnham
• Dr. Colin Crook
• Dr. Julie Hyde
• Dr. Ed Warminski
• Dr. Ed Warminski