Instructional Laboratory Integration With Course Contents: A Learning Hierarchy Approach

Abstract

The positive educational effects of integrating the lab work with the theoretical course contents are incredible. Historically, there was, and still is in some cases, a kind of educational 'separation' between lab work and the course contents. It is very easy, and very common, to have students in the lab doing experiments on subjects they did not study or have a good understanding of the concepts they are to consolidate by the lab work. There exist two main models for using lab work in conjunction with regular class work. The most popular, and easier to implement, is first-lecture then-lab (FLEL) model. This way, the lab work consolidates the class work. If this model is used without detailed and close integration, as usually is the case, students are up for too much frustration and miss-conceptual education. This scenario is well known amongst students and is taking place all the time. The second model is the first-lab then-lecture (FLAL) model, which builds on the lab work to develop concepts and theories. This approach, if properly designed and implemented, leads to a very good and effective education. This communication discusses both approaches with more emphasis on the widely adopted, least integrated, FLEL model. A learning hierarchy is employed to design and integrate the lab work with the class work. A step-by-step algorithm is provided to help a wide range of educators with adopting this model with less frustration, less damage to the students' affective and cognitive domains, and a much better educational experience and outcome for the students. It also makes the educational process more manageable for the instructor. I.

Adapting Chaos Theory for Undergraduate Electrical Engineers

“…Their study used student surveys, concepts inventories, FE samples questions, and laboratory observations to evaluate the students. Finally, Zahloul 27 presents the idea of designing laboratory procedures more carefully and keeping in mind Bloom's domains.…”