Learning in the Laboratory

ISBN-13: 9783639151015 / Angielski / Miękka / 2009 / 284 str.

Michael Panichas

Opis

Introducing students to scientific inquiry has beenshown to enhance both critical thinking skills andengagement in the learning process. Yet bringingnovel teaching strategies into the classroom alsorequires assessment of their effectiveness forstudent learning. This book presents a formativecase study evaluation of chemistry laboratory courseswhich are structured with both traditional expositorylab exercises and cooperative inquiry projects. Focusing on student perceptions of these courses,this study illustrates how these two teachingpractices impact student learning both academicallyand affectively. Along with a detailed presentationof the quantitative and qualitative researchmethodologies, this book includes an historicaloverview of theory and practice in laboratoryteaching, as well as a philosophical discussion ofhow the findings offer a bridge between the idea ofconstructivism as an epistemology, and the use ofcooperative inquiry as a pedagogy. Researchers andpractitioners of science education will find valuableinsights into the process of bringing positive changeto learning in the laboratory.

O autorze

Michael A. Panichas, Ph.D. Graduate studies in Biochemistry at
Boston University, and in Education at Harvard University and
Boston College. He has worked as a laboratory researcher in
Biomedical Science, an instructor in Chemistry and Biotechnology,
and is currently an administrator in the Chemistry Teaching
Laboratories at Boston College.