Integrating laboratory work with lectures

Abstract

- The purpose of teaching a laboratory course is to train the students in the techniques of observations and the methods of obtaining observational facts, besides illustrating the lecture materials. As it is nowadays, the lecture discussion is much concerned with microscopic concepts, hence the synchronization between laboratory and lectures becomes harder to attain. In a developing country, two factors have to be considered. One is the background of the students from secondary education, and the other is the role of the university. The lack of coherent operation between lecturers and laboratory staff, the unavailability of machine shops, and the large expense of imported chemicals, are obstructions towards the accomplishment of such integration. Besides, the fact that English is only the second language adds to the difficulties the students have to face, since most text books are in English. The problem of integration between laboratory and lectures becomes less severe in the upper division courses when there are fewer students in the class and the topics are more specific. It is proposed that students should learn through the practical work more than previously, and that experiments from the laboratory and every day examples should also be discussed in the lectures. © IUPAC