Practical work is embedded in science education, and it is routine to include some pre-practical activity to help students prepare for their time in the laboratory. What form should this take?
This project involves:
- Synthesising the literature on pre-practical work in chemistry to develop an understanding of the approaches and rationale for pre-practical work
- Devising a model for pre-practical work consistent with cognitive load theory, within the construct of the laboratory as a complex learning environment
- Exploring how pre-practical work aligning to this model can be used in practice
A literature review and description of the laboratory as a complex learning environment has since been published (free to access). We are currently exploring the value of pre-practical activities in our laboratory teaching.
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