Work in progress — Rules of engagement: Student interest and learning in hands-on laboratory experiences

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allen White ◽  
Glen Livesay ◽  
Kay C Dee
Keyword(s):  
Student Interest ◽  
Work In Progress ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Laboratory Experiences

Open-Ended Curiosity-Driven Fluids Lab Project

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas G. Shepard ◽  
Christopher Haas ◽  
Rajagopala Menon
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Mechanics ◽  
Undergraduate Curriculum ◽  
Self Determination Theory ◽  
Field Trips ◽  
Student Interest ◽  
Great Opportunity ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Design Build ◽  
Course Material ◽  
Positive Results

The lab component of a fluid mechanics course permits a great opportunity for students to engage with course material. These labs can take many forms including field trips, guided inquiry exercises, formulaic lab exercises, practical/hands-on skill development, CFD and design-build-test projects to name a few. Previous literature on self-determination theory suggests that many positive results can be gained by giving students a choice in their studies. Related literature on the importance of curiosity in students suggests similar benefits. This paper describes a multi-week lab experience where students were given the opportunity to study anything remotely related to fluid mechanics with very few restrictions on implementation. The project goals were proposed by a student, or a team of two students, and then refined with the assistance of the course instructor to ensure proper scope. Pre-project surveys were used to gage the importance students place on studying material which is of personal interest and to determine how other parts of the undergraduate curriculum match up with student interest. Post-project surveys were used to gather input on the student experience of completing the curiosity project. This paper details the results from the various assessments and discusses feedback from the course instructor, lab instructors and students relating to project implementation, opportunities for improvement and some of the advantages of such a lab experience.

scholarly journals Faktor-Faktor yang Mempengaruhi Keberkesanan Amali Kerja Kayu dari Perspektif Pelajar Sekolah Menengah Vokasional di Provinsi Acheh

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1-5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lailan Fachrah ◽  
Nor Azlina Hasbullah ◽  
Ashah Ab Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Vocational Schools ◽  
Student Interest ◽  
Security Issues ◽  
Equipment Safety ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Stepwise Method

This study aims to identify factors that influence the effectiveness of practical woodworking and determine the effectiveness of practical woodworking from the perspective of students of secondary vocational schools in the province of Aceh. Factors studied were the workshop equipment, safety workshops, teaching skills, the workshop environment and student interest. This study was designed to investigate the significant differences concerning factors woodworking practical effectiveness based on demographic factors. A total of 130 respondents were randomly selected from six vocational schools in the province of Aceh. The instrument consists of a set of questionnaire consisting of 49 items and distributed to second level students. Data analysis using the two types of statistics, namely descriptive statistics and statistical inference. The results showed no significant difference between factors woodworking practical effectiveness based on demographic factors except the income level of parents and the parents of the respondents work. The results of multiple linear regression analysis stepwise method found that only four factors (environmental factors workshops, the students interest, the skills of teachers and workshop equipment factors) that affect the practical effectiveness of woodworking with the correlation coefficient R = 0.779. This shows there is a significant effect of the four factors, the effectiveness of practical woodworking, accounting for 60.6% (R2 = 0.606) changes in the variance in effectiveness of hands-on woodworking, and between the four factors, the workshop environment is the factor that most influences the effectiveness practical woodworking by contributing 43.3% (R2 = 0.433) of the variance in effectiveness of practical woodworking. The main implication of this study is the need for attention from the authorities to be more serious in efforts to improve the facilities and infrastructure in the workshop as well as security issues in practical workshops so that the effectiveness of the woodwork to be more robust.

scholarly journals Expanding Medical Student Interaction In Neurology With A Redesigned Student Interest Group In Neurology (SIGN) Chapter

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohit Gummi ◽  
Ross Smith ◽  
Raghav Govindarajan
Keyword(s):  
Medical Education ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Journal Club ◽  
Student Interest ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Related Research ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Neurology Clinic ◽  
Second Year

Abstract Background: SIGN chapters across the country provide opportunities for medical students to participate in clinical, research, and service activities in neurology. Despite these, enrollment in SIGN chapters has been traditionally low.Methods: Following changes were introduced: an open board style SIGN chapter executive committee with greater active engagement of first and second year students, new types SIGN chapter activities including journal club articles, hands on workshop (example EMG), celebration/cause events (example ALS walk). In addition, a free neurology clinic was introduced. Activities were planned in consultation with office of medical education, and were organized during ‘down times’. Data on student enrollment, activities successfully carried out, students interested in neurology residency, number of neurology-related research projects with student involvement were collected prior to changes and compared to values after changes were introduced.Results: Post intervention, student engagement in neurology activities and projects increased significantly. There were also significantly more students engaged in neurology related research projects and significantly more students reported interest in neurology. However, a similar increase in applications to neurology residency was not yet observed.Conclusions: An open chapter with early engagement and involvement of first and second year medical students, creating a variety of chapter activities with greater hands on involvement, planned in conjunction with office of medical education has reinvigorated our SIGN chapter.

An Evaluation of Students’ Practical Intelligence and Ability to Diagnose Equipment Faults

2012 ◽  
pp. 328-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zol Bahri Razali ◽  
James Trevelyan
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Students ◽  
Practical Knowledge ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Engineering Practice ◽  
Practical Intelligence ◽  
Laboratory Equipment ◽  
Outcome Based Education ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Laboratory Experiences ◽  
Intelligence Scores

Empirical studies suggest that practical intelligence acquired in engineering laboratories is valuable in engineering practice and could also be a useful learning outcome that is a result from a laboratory experience. To prove this, the author started a project to understand further about the practical learning outcomes from traditional laboratory classes. When tools used by psychologists were applied to measure practical intelligence in an electronics laboratory class, not only could a significant gain in hands-on practical intelligence be measured, but students’ ability to diagnose equipment faults could also be predicted. For the first time, therefore, the author can demonstrate that there are real advantages inherent in hands-on laboratory classes, and supported by Outcome Based Education (OBE) method, it is possible to measure this advantage. It is possible that measurements of practical intelligence may reveal new and more powerful ways for students to acquire practical knowledge. The results firstly demonstrate the ability to devise effective ways to assess the outcomes of practical intelligence acquired by engineering students from their laboratory experiences. The results from the study show that the score on practical intelligence outcomes is proportional with the outcomes of the ability in diagnosing equipment faults. Therefore, the novel results suggest that practical intelligence scores predict the ability to diagnose experiment faults for similar laboratory equipment.

A model circulatory system for use in undergraduate physiology laboratories.

1999 ◽  
Vol 277 (6) ◽  
pp. S92 ◽  
Author(s):  
A M Smith
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Velocity ◽  
Circulatory System ◽  
Vessel Diameter ◽  
Model System ◽  
Heart Activity ◽  
Cardiovascular Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Reasonable Cost ◽  
Quantitative Results ◽  
Laboratory Experiences

The cardiovascular system is a central topic in physiology classes, yet it is difficult to provide undergraduates with quality laboratory experiences in this area. Thus a model circulatory system was developed to give students hands-on experience with cardiovascular fluid dynamics. This model system can be constructed from readily available materials at a reasonable cost. It has a realistic pressure drop across the different vessels. Using this system, students can investigate the effect that blood volume, vessel compliance, vessel construction, and heart activity have on blood pressure and flow. The system also demonstrates the effect of vessel diameter on resistance and fluid velocity. This model may give students a more concrete, intuitive feel for cardiovascular physiology. Another advantage is that it allows dramatic and easily controlled manipulations with quantitative results. Finally, its simple construction allows students to interchange components, giving them greater flexibility in experimentation.

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