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Assignment: Lab
Presentation[1]
Sample
Lab Presentations
Resources : Lab
Safety
Weighting:
15%
Introduction
Hands-on laboratory
activities provide students with interesting experiences and research
suggests that laboratory activities may improve student performance.
Roth (1989)[2] points
out that in order for students to develop meaningful conceptual
understandings through laboratory activities, 'the processes of
developing hypotheses, designing experiments, and analyzing data
must be integrated with conceptual knowledge. In addition to carrying
out experimental work, analyzing results is a crucial aspect of
both the process of laboratory work and of conceptual change. If
students are only asked to verify whether their results are correct
or incorrect, misconceptions may never become apparent and conflicting
data may simply be discounted.' This deductive or verification approach
is commonly used in science courses. An inductive approach however
provides students with the opportunity to develop their own concepts
before these ideas are discussed in class. Students analyze data
to look for patterns or relationships rather than simply confirming
what is already known.
The scientific
method is used by scientists to solve problems. Although there is
no set order to the sequence, a scientific investigation may include
some or all of the following activities; literature search, stating
the problem, writing a hypothesis, designing an experiment, collecting
data/observation, verification, graphing data, interpreting data,
analyzing data, and forming a conclusion.
Assignment
Details
Modify an existing
laboratory activity or create your own activity that is appropriate
for use in the Biology 20 or 30 curriculum and utilizes a more open-ended
approach. Your group will perform and analyze the laboratory experience
before the presentation, working out any problem areas that need
to be addressed. The presentation of the laboratory will include
an introduction that would be similar to that used by teachers in
their classrooms. A demonstration of the laboratory activity, guiding
questions to be used throughout the activity, an explanation of
the key concepts, and any pedagogical advice you feel is essential
to share with your colleagues. Each group will prepare a hand out
that details the entire laboratory activity according to the hand
out template provided. We should be active participants at some
point in the presentation.
Laboratory
Documentation
Title:
Course/Grade
Level:
Conceptual
Base: You will list the major concepts and sub-concepts that
are addressed in the activity. This information comes from the Program
of Studies.
Objectives/Outcomes
for the activity: These are the specific objectives you identify
for the lab.
Detailed
description of the activity: This is your lesson plan but it
should also be a handout that provides your colleagues with pedagogical
advice and the necessary background (content) information. Choose
a suitable lesson plan template and ensure your lesson plan considers
the following aspects:
- How will
you ENGAGE the learners? (capture their interest, give the activity
purpose)
- How will
you create an environment that allows them to EXPLORE the concept?
- How will
you provide an opportunity for them to EXPLAIN their findings?
- What opportunities
can you provide that will allow your students to EXTEND/ELABORATE
on the concept?
- How will
you EVALUATE this activity?
- What are
some of the LAB SAFETY issues? (draw our attention to potential
dangers and the appropriate course of action)
Each presentation
will be limited to one hour per group. Please discuss the laboratory
procedure with me prior to the presentation. You will register your
choice at that time; these selections will be posted. The presentation
will be assessed using the evaluation criteria provided.
Laboratory
Presentation
| Evaluation
Criteria |
Poor |
|
Satisfactory |
|
Excellent |
| Engaged
the audience |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
| Opportunity
to explore the concept. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
| Questions
/ strategies used to draw out an explanation from students. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
| Activity
that requires students to extend / elaborate on the concept. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
| Evaluation
of the laboratory. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
| Lab
safety recommendations. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
| Laboratory
activity documentation. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
No |
Yes |
|
|
|
| Clean
up and equipment returned |
0 |
1 |
|
|
|
| Total |
|
|
|
|
/37 |
Notes on
the assignment
Assign 3-5 people
to write an evaluation of the lab activity. First individually and
then combine as group to discuss their evaluations. Each individual
must hand in their own evaluation but will have the opportunity
to revise/add/delete sections before handing in. What aspects of
the activity were pedagogically strong? Which were weak? How would
you improve this activity?
After all the
labs are completed each person must submit the answer to the following
question:
- What strategies,
techniques and/or ideas did you observe that you would consider
incorporating into your own teaching?
Group should
reflect on their presentation and hand that in.
Groups should
perform evaluation not just show the rubric.
If I were using
portfolios they would have to revise the lab and resubmit along
with their reflection.
Inductive labs
can be easily generated if use the lab reports from historical stories
Create the rubric
and look back at your outcomes and activities- do they match?
Consider attitudes
and skills in your evaluation
Don't overkill
with evaluation
Make sure you
have a solid background in the content before proceeding.
[1]
Assignment taken from Donna Matovinovic and slightly modified.
[2] Roth, K.T. (1989).
Science Education: It's not enough to "do" or "relate".
American Educator (Winter), p.46
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