Comment on Laura Hogins's post: safety issues
Using virtual learning instruments are good for getting the basic skills, but they lack the ability to show the students the true danger in the task.
need to apply the objective
Virtual labs can be useful to simulate the experience without the real hazards.
The needs of the different learning styles and methods of trying to improve your students learning with labs.
I do agree cooperative and active learning have positive effects in the lab: as students are more engaged, they grasp the materials much faster and easily. There is significant improvement in their cognition as well as they are able to reflect back in a more better way.
Teaching in a lab can have many challenges, in many aspects such as the visibility of the students who are standing in the back; the instructor / instructors mite not be able to demonstrate certain things due to lack of appropriate models or study materials; may be due to budgeting issues, spacing issues, storage issues etc... In these situations virtual lab can be more beneficial to engage and connect the students. Plus the students can repeat the exercises several time on their own pace and have a better practise. Another advantage is that the risks of safety hazard is low when using a virtual lab.
There seem to be many different characteristics of Lab or shop teaching. You must first identify the different learning styles of the students. When they can move at their own pace, they are less stressed and likely to be more successful. However, they also need to be progressively reaching not only their goals, but also completing the course on time.
I try doing the first project so they can see what I want them to do.
Lab work is not alway practical. finding the right combination of lecture and labwork is key to me for a good lesson plan.
Active learning strategies can greatly increase the amount of knowledge retention in students. In my classes, I can't get away from lecturing completely, but I can reduce the amount of lecturing to essential information and then have a collaborative environment where the students are able to actively be involved in creating a learning environment.
An active learning environment leads to active participation from all students. That shall create a foundation that includes different learning style students.
Knowing and implementing the various learning styles in the lab will achieve good outcomes.
Reinforce in a positive light to learners that their preferred learning techniques are their strengths.
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There are certain know difficulties with the lab environment that a teacher can try to avoid.
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Adult learners learn in various ways. It is imperative that each learning style is identified and accomodated in an effective way.
There are many positives for using simulation-cost, no harm to students, etc. Also one more tool in our toolbox that benefits students. The different learning styles are valuable to keep in mind. Those with similar learning styles do well to team up.
Identifying a student's learning style and making the student aware of thier personal learning styles will benefit and enhance the learning process. Teaming students with like learning styles is anovel idea that I plan to use in future classes.
While lab time is crucial for the kinesthetic learner, some materials are expensive and may not be available for the demonstration/experiment and cause the lesson to be shortened or not being complete.
I have noticed that most of the students that i teach are kinesthetic learners. We do have books in the class room for all students that show step by step methods but they like watching how to do steps first.
Most of my students are Kinesthetic, this requires the instructor to stay active and current.
