Teaching Strategies for Labs | Origin: ED206
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Teaching in the Lab and Shop Environment --> Teaching Strategies for Labs
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
From this module, I’ve learned that effective lab instruction requires balancing structure with flexibility—students need clear guidance to perform safely and confidently, but also the freedom to explore, make mistakes, and learn by doing. I’ve gained a better understanding of how pre-lab preparation, demonstrations, and debriefing sessions all work together to reinforce learning and develop critical thinking. Safety, organization, and clear communication are just as vital as the technical skills being taught
Hands on learning, through research, has been shown to be the beneficial way for students.
There are different types of learners. It is important to incorporate different learning styles: visual, kinesthetic, and/or aural.
The lab is a different environment of teaching that presents great opportunities for learning if utilized effectively.
Comment on Scott Politakis's post: I agree great work.
Students learn better with active learning styles like lab experiments, and demonstrations. But a student's absence can affect their learning so having a virtual lab would be a great alternative.
Sometimes a virtual lab is more appropriate.
Teaching in a laboratory or shop environment requires various strategies.
Very important to know there are different styles to learning and being flexible to use what resources you have to make the most of your class. Sometimes several strategies may be the best.
I learned about the different learning styles and that a virtual lab can help with lab instruction challenges.
Labs can become challenging depending on the scope of the lab, number of students involved, and the students' preparation for lab all intermingle.
I learned that not all students prefer to learn in the same manner and that there are four categories of learning styles. Having a variety of methods of providing instruction will increase the engagement level and learning.
There are different learning styles for different age groups.
Active learning seems to be better than long lectures. However, lectures are important just make sure to keep them right to the point and steer them in direction to make a smooth transition into the hands-on activities.
Active learning is way better that just lecturing. Best to keep the lectures short and try to engage the student in why you are taking measurements and not just rushing to get them done.
By giving the opportunity for the student to have hands-on learning and then listening to the instructor about what they were working on. This way they can come up with questions so they can better what and why it was done this way
Keep lecture content to a minimum in laboratory experiences.
The different instructional styles to meet the varied learner styles.
Lab based learning naturally involves active learning. To get the most of the experience, perhaps more student oral feedback, for example, at the end of a lab might give the instructor some valuable but missing feedback.
