How can I improve my students’ ability in doing laboratory practical work on analytical chemistry-I? A case on class n23 at KCTE

Abstract

From my experience of teaching in KCTE and class N23 (Natural science department, year 2 section 3) in the years of past time, these students were active in class participation and did what was given to them in theoretical approach. However, they were getting confused specially on the concepts requiring applications during practical laboratory activities. They lose their individual confidence of handling and manipulation of apparatus and chemicals. That was why I chose them specially in doing Practical Analytical Chemistry-I (Chem 223) of the semester. This action research was aimed at improving students’ ability in doing the practical laboratory work and exercising of science process skills. This was because these students show lack of experience in specially handling laboratory materials, chemicals and following scientific processes like observation, data record, analysis, measuring and following of appropriate safety rules while working in lab independently or being in groups. In this study, observation, questionnaires and tests were used as tools to gather information about the participants for bothpre-and –post interventions. It was seen from the study that students feel more interactive and confident when working in group rather than independently. This has also boomed students`experiences as it was multi-side interaction between student-student, student-teacher and teachers-teachers as well. This study reveals that students’ achievement improved from 52.37% to 70.21% on questionnaire, 68.06% to 84.44% in test and 69.47% to 72.50% in assessment which covered lab class activity, practical show activity and report writings. In general, it will be better for instructors like me to plan “starting-ongoing-ending” and “cooperative learning” approach while designing the practical lab instruction to enhance students’ learning. [African Journal of Chemical Education—AJCE 5(1), January 2015]