This book aims to improve the design and organization of innovative laboratory practices and to provide tools and exemplary results for the evaluation of their effectiveness, adequate for labwork in order to promote students' scientific understanding in a variety of countries. The papers are based on research and developmental work carried out in the context of the European Project "Labwork in Science Education" (LSE). This substantial and significant body of research is now made available in English.

Inhalt

General Introduction. 1: Approaching Labwork: Frames and Tools. Introduction. Varieties of Labwork: A Way of Profiling Labwork Tasks; R. Millar, et al. Issues and Questions Regarding the Effectiveness of Labwork; D. Psillos, H. Niedderer. Talking Physics in Labwork Contexts: A Category Based Analysis of Videotapes; H. Niedderer, et al. Students' Understanding of the Nature of Science and its Influence on Labwork; J. Leach. 2: Standard Labwork Based on Hands-on Experiments. Introduction. Modelling Activities of Students during a Traditional Labwork; K. Bécu-Robinault. Student's Intellectual Activities during Standard Labwork at Undergraduate Level; M. Beney, M.-G. Séré. A Laboratory-Based Teaching Learning Sequence on Fluids: Developing Primary Student Teacher's Conceptual and Procedural Knowledge; P. Kariotoglou. Development and Evaluation of a Laboratory Course in Physics for Medical Students; H. Theyßen, et al. The Biology Textbook as a Source of Ideas about Scientific Knowledge and Experimental Activity; M. Bandiera. 3: Open-Ended Labwork. Introduction. The Role of Epistemological information in open-ended Investigative Labwork; A. Guillon, M.-G. Séré. The Effectiveness of Mini-Projects as a Preparation for Open-Ended Investigations; J. Lewis. Data Interpretation Activities and Student's Views of the Epistemology of Science during a University Earth Sciences Field Study Course; J. Ryder. 4: Labwork and Data Handling. Introduction. The Use of Secondary Data in Teaching about Data Analysis in a First Year Undergraduate Biochemistry Course; J. Leach. An Investigation of Teaching and Learning about Measurement Data and their Treatment in the Introductory Physics Laboratory;D. Evangelinos, et al. 5: Labwork Based on Integrated Use of New Information Technology. Introduction. Enhancing the Linking of Theoretical Knowledge to Physical Phenomena by Real-Time Graphing; G. Bisdikian, D. Psillos. The Link of Theory and Practice in Traditional and in Computer-Based University Laboratory Experiments; L. Hucke, H.E. Fischer. Computer Tools in the Lab: Effects Linking Theory and Experiment; F. Sander, et al. Modelling in Geometrical Optics Using a Microcomputer; C. Buty. Evolution of Student's Reasoning about Micrscopic Processes in Electrostatics under the Influence of Interactive Simulations; Epilogue: Towards Targeted Labwork; M.-G. Séré. Authors. Index.