Chronology | Current Month | Current Thread | Current Date |
[Year List] [Month List (current year)] | [Date Index] [Thread Index] | [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] | [Date Prev] [Date Next] |
At Providence College we no longer use that format. Instead, we provide
lab instructions that guide the students through the experiment. Before
each operation that comprises the lab we ask a question about what the
student might suggest doing to accomplish a particular goal. After the
operation, we ask about how successful the outcome was and whether the
students earlier suggestion might have led to more or less success meeting
the goal. We also ask questions such as "Why was it permissible to ignore
such and such a parameter?". At the end we ask specific questions about
meeting the overall objectives of the lab. Many of the questions are
phrased such that there are really no right or wrong answers - just an
honest analysis of what happened. The student hands back the instructions
with the data entered and the questions answered. These are graded and
returned the next lab for study use on upcoming exams in class.
We try to keep the exams focused on a single concept. If it's, say,
centripetal force, we don't deal with the statistical errors, significant
figures, or other distracters. We focus on the major concept of that
particular lab. Our chemistry department hammers the students with all the
nit picking items that make up a three hour lab with the standard report
format. Because of that, we feel we are relieved of that burden and can
concentrate on concepts. General Physics is a place to learn physics - not
become professional scientists.
Bob at PC