Issues and Questions Regarding the Effectiveness of Labwork

Abstract

The effectiveness of labwork can be defined in two ways. A first definition is seen in comparing the actual activities of students during labwork to the intended activities (effectiveness 1). Determining effectiveness in this way makes sure that only the effectiveness of the labwork is determined, not of the whole teaching and learning approach. In a second definition, effectiveness is determined by comparing the actual learning outcomes after labwork with the aims and objectives set for a specific lab (effectiveness 2). The learning outcome of course isthe ultimate goal of teaching, but in most cases it can not be attributed to the effects of labwork alone.