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Using the Science Writing Heuristic to Move toward an Inquiry-Based Laboratory Curriculum: An Example from Physical Equilibrium
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Abstract
Despite the importance placed on laboratory work in the undergraduate chemistry curriculum, there have been few research studies showing that laboratory experiments are an effective vehicle for promoting understanding of chemistry. Laboratory activities that are inquiry-based have been reported to have potential for improving the pedagogical value of laboratory work. This study compared the performance of general chemistry laboratory students who used the standard laboratory report format to the performance of students who used the Science Writing Heuristic (SWH) format on a lecture examination problem and on a laboratory practical examination task involving physical equilibrium. The standard laboratory reports had title, purpose, procedure, data and observations, calculations and graphs, and discussion sections. The SWH reports had beginning questions and ideas, tests and procedures, observations, claims, evidence, and reflection sections. Students in the SWH sections exhibited a better understanding of equilibrium when written explanations and equations were analyzed, performed slightly better on the equilibrium practical exam task, and spent less time completing the SWH laboratory reports than students in the standard sections. SWH instructors spent less time scoring reports of their students. The SWH was shown to be a feasible mechanism for gradually modifying the laboratory curriculum to reflect inquiry-based learning.
Keywords (Audience):
First-Year Undergraduate / GeneralKeywords (Domain):
Chemical Education ResearchKeywords (Feature):
Chemical Education ResearchKeywords (Pedagogy):
Inquiry-Based / Discovery LearningKeywords (Subject):
EquilibriumCiting Articles
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This article has been cited by 24 ACS Journal articles (5 most recent appear below).
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Alice PuttiJournal of Chemical Education2011 88 (4), 516-521This paper discusses student attitudes and beliefs on using the Science Writing Heuristic (SWH) in an advanced placement (AP) chemistry classroom. During the 2007 school year, the SWH was used in a class of 24 AP chemistry students. Using a Likert-type ...
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David E. Berry, Kelli L. FawkesJournal of Chemical Education2010 87 (1), 57-61A protocol that emphasizes lab report writing using a piecemeal approach coupled with peer review is described. As the lab course progresses, the focus of the report writing changes sequentially through the abstract and introduction, the discussion, and ...
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Daniel Branan, Matt MorganJournal of Chemical Education2010 87 (1), 69-72Students everywhere love chemistry demonstrations, especially if they involve explosions. But have you ever wanted to move beyond the "wow" factor and find a way to incorporate active student learning into your demos? What if you could get them to think ...
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- Received: August 03, 2009
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