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.
Three technics must be applied to an overall learning in a classroom setting; Kinesthetic, Aural and Visual
it is good to have different teaching styles due to different learning styles online teaching has its advantages and disadvantages when lab teaching
Great insight on adjusting my Lab time to fit the different type of learning styles.
Hand on experience and teaching are a great way to keep the students focused and engaged. Specially with trade instruction. It is imperative to have that Lab Experience.
It is important to be aware of different learning styles and try to incorporate this in your lab assignment for student success.
Lab or hands on teaching helps students connect theory to practice. Demonstrations, practice, and instructor feedback builds student confidence. Confident students help bring others up as well.
hands-on teaching in labs helps students connect theory to practice. using demonstrations, guided practice, and feedback bulids confidence. creating a safe space encourages questions.
In larger classes, I think it will be a challenge to find each student's learning style. I've tried to incorporate the different styles at least when it comes to kinesthetic, aural, and visual. I use PowerPoint with graphics (visual), I have students read the slides aloud (aural), lecture (aural) and I have worksheets and other group activities (kinesthetic). I have flirted with the idea of having each take a learning style assessment then have them wear a color on the ID corresponding to their style. That way, while lecturing and assigning groups I would have some guidance.
Learning and mastering Different learning styles is a key point to becoming a better teacher.
Customized instruction allows adult students to feel more comfortable and confident in relation to course content. It is my belief that most people learn best by aural coupled by visual instruction. The kinesthetic style reinforces the other two styles maximizing the the students education.
The virtual vs actual lab work offers a wide variety of opportunities for todays students, but nothing beats true hands on approach. I see the the true potential to combine these techniques, in my line of work/field.
Teaching and learning in a lab setting is quite different from teaching and learning in a classroom. In a lab, hands-on learners will benefit from the demonstrations offered.
its importan to explain very good before performing any lectures
Developing a diverse platform for education is remarkably significant in successful completion and direction of the specific course for both the classroom and lab experiences. Not all students learn on the same wavelength and need a different form of engagement to satisfy the needs of the learner. The basis of teaching per student in a "student-centered" approach, rather than to a group of students, is the undertaking of the responsibility to teach to all instead of having them learn the way you want them to. This open floorplan of education will foster a recognizable environment for learning in a promising and engaging way for each student to thrive after completion.
active learning keeps a student engaged and on track
Teaching in a lab has its challenges
A student's learning style is there strength. Teachers need to help students learn what their learning style is, remind them that their style is their strength and plan lessons and groups that focus on student learning styles.
Learn each students learning style and tailor your teaching to each individual.
In this module I learned that it is important to engage students by active learning.
From the Teaching Strategies for Labs module, I've learned that successful lab sessions rely on structured preparation, clear instructions, and student-centered approaches that foster inquiry and critical thinking. This module emphasized that labs are not just about following procedures but about helping students engage deeply with scientific concepts through hands-on exploration and application.
One of the most valuable insights was the importance of scaffolding lab activities to ensure that students understand the purpose of each step and the larger concepts involved. I plan to incorporate more structured pre-lab discussions where we review the scientific principles behind the experiment and the methods we’ll be using. By doing so, students will be better prepared to approach the lab with a conceptual understanding rather than simply following instructions.
Another key takeaway is the role of inquiry-based learning in labs. Instead of guiding students through rigid steps, I aim to encourage them to make predictions, hypothesize, and reflect on their observations more independently. For example, I might start a lab by asking open-ended questions and allowing students to design parts of the experiment within a framework. This approach can help students develop problem-solving skills and engage more actively with the material.
Additionally, I found the strategies for post-lab analysis beneficial. I plan to implement more structured post-lab reflections and discussions, where students analyze their results, discuss discrepancies, and connect their findings to real-world applications. This will help solidify their understanding and promote critical thinking.
By discussing with peers, I hope to gain additional insights into managing lab logistics, especially in diverse classrooms, and explore creative ways to balance guidance with student autonomy during lab activities.
