Practical Work of Science
Learning by doing can be achieved only by doing experimentation. Any course of Science which does not period opportunities for lab work is incomplete from the point of view of efficient teaching.
Equipments of Practical Work: –
On every practical turn, a student must carry with him the following things to the laboratory so that he is well equipped to perform various type of experiments-
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1. Scale, 2. Eraser, 3. A pencil, 4 Auxiliary notebooks and 5. Laboratory note-books.
Important of Practical work-
Following are the importance of practical work of science:
1. Learning by doing:
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Practical work follows the basic principle of Learning by doing. The students gets an opportunity to activity participate in the learning process.
2. Training for adjustment:
When students know elementary things about electricity, electronics, sanitation etc. they depend less on others for minor repairs.
3. Scientific knowledge and Scientific Outlook:
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Practical work helps in acquiring of scientific knowledge and scientific outlook, the twin main objectives of teaching science.
4. Handing of Objects:
By doing experiments students learn how to handle and operate apparatus etc.
5. Development of good habits:
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Through practical work the students learn many good habits like resourcefulness, initiative, co-cooperation etc.
6. Satisfaction of curiosity:
Validity of the concepts learned by the students can be tested by experimentation. This satisfies basic human desire of knowledge of what, how and why of things.
7. Development of Scientific attitude:
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Lab work develops scientific attitude and scientific temper.
8. Motivation:
By doing experiments, students are motivated to know more and more of science.
Administration of Practical-Work:
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1. Procedure of Laboratory work:
The science teacher should check the availability of the apparatus required for particular experiments. Afterwards he should assure that the apparatus is ready and working condition before the students enter the laboratory. The broken apparatus is noted down in the breakage register.
2. Grouping:
In some schools, same experiment is done by all the students at the same time. The teacher gives general instructions to the whole class at one instant and can cyclise form where the number of students in a class is much more each group is allotted a different experiment. The experiments are cycled in groups. This method had following limitations-
a. There is every possibility that weaker students may copy the results of the brighter students.
b. It may become difficult to correlate .theory and practicals for all students.
c. Supply different apparatus and chemicals to different groups.
3. Guideline rules:
In order to make practical work effective, the laboratory should be made a place of learning by doing. Guideline should be laid down by the teacher about the laboratory rules such as the following-
a. Work area must be cleared.
b. Strict attention should be paid to own work.
c. Reagent stoppers should not be left on counter tops.
d . Wastage of water, gas, electricity should be strictly avoided.
e. Directions should be read and followed very carefully.
f. Teachers should allow the student’s entry in lab in his/her presence.
g. Only those experiments should be done which are recommended by the teacher-incharge.