Laboratory method of teaching

INTRODUCTION

For teaching that is authoritative rather than authoritarian we need creative teachers who use imagination, ability,
knowledge and courage in the selection and use of teaching methods. The goal of laboratory experiences (labs) is to
become practiced and confident in nursing psychomotor skills (skills that require varying levels of well-coordinated
physical activity and precise procedures), in order to provide the basis for safe, competent care to patients and families
in the clinical setting.

Definition of laboratory

A building, part of a building,or other place equipped toconduct scientific experiments, tests, investigations. A place
equipped for experimental study in a science or for testing and analysis

Definition of laboratory method of teaching

Laboratory Method Utilizes raw data or material things to produce better understanding of the subject matter or lesson
Learning by doing Using reality instead of symbols. - Reality has more vividness Investigatory or experimental.

Webster defines the word laboratory was applied originally to the workroom of the chemist, a place devoted to the
experimental study of natural science. Laboratory procedure is considered as planned learning activity dealing with
original or raw ‘data’ in the solution of problem. It is a procedure involving firsthand experience

1. With primary source materials or facts derives from investigation or experimentation in the solution of a
problem, the answering of some questions
2. Through which the student can acquire psychomotor skills.

Purpose of laboratory method

1. To provide firsthand experience with materials or facts in the solution of problem.e.g. Science laboratory.
2. To provide experiences with actual situation such as nursing laboratory and hospital; wards
3. To make students to become skillful in manipulation apparatus., practicing laboratory technique
4. It helps student to acquire scientific attitude and scientific approach in problem solving

It should be well- organized and well planned with close coordination between class and laboratory work

The goals and objectives underlying the use of laboratory activities

1. Identifying problems and questions

2. Categorizing of attributes through observation, comparison of differences and similarities
3. Measuring qualities
4. Manipulating of materials and data
5. Formulating of hypothesis and laws
6. Making conclusion/decisions based on established facts.

Limitation of laboratory work

1. Poor planning and lack of direction of teacher may result in wasting student time, use of complicated
approaches and consumes time. poor direction causes blind manual without conception of the purpose
2. Lack of budget in getting qualitative laboratory equipment creates insecurity in teachers to operate them.
Actually simple equipment is far more comprehensive to the students and they are within the bond of school
grant.
Advantages :

1. Students learn by doing and come in contact with raw data or material objects in the teaching-learning process.
2. Develops the power of observation and reasoning.
3. Develops the scientific attitude.
4. Gives an understanding of what research is and how to apply the scientific method of research .
5. Gives training in organizing data gathered from real material objects and how these objects are manipulated to
attain the objectives.
6. Since students come in contact with real life situations, it can be a preparation for solving real life problems.
Disadvantages :
1. Uneconomical way of learning in time and material.
2. Does not give much training in verbal expression and when the same equipment is used most of the time, its
use becomes mechanical i.e., used without much thinking anymore
TECHNIQUES OF THE LABORATORY METHOD

3 PHASES OF LABORATORY METHOD

1. Preparation/introductive phase
2. Work period
3. Evaluation/culminating activities

PREPARATION/INTRODUCTIVE PHASE

It involves the establishment of objectives and a plan of work. The planning for a laboratory period (objectives and plan
of work) may be done in advance by the teacher or cooperatively by the teacher and the students by means of class
discussion

1. It require establishment of objectives and plan of work

2. It motivate the student by presenting problem together with effective method for its solution
3. Teacher prepares the plan with cooperation of the student considering objectives not wasting time
4. Teachers allow time for maximum use of laboratory work

WORK PERIOD

1. It refers to that period when demonstration , experimentation , or practice for a skill in a nursing procedure
2. To ensure an effective work period there must be adequate equipment and facilities including basic tools
3. There must be adequate supply of specimens and materials
4. There should be sufficient space, light and work period
5. Teacher should plan the entire class for learning activities , extra work should be assigned to those who finish ,
but it should not be special work , but to get more knowledge in the same work.

EVALUATION

Group discussion, individual reports of finding , written report of principles learned is the evaluation tool, which gives
more opportunities to the students in mastering knowledge and put into practice

TEACHER RESPONSIBILITY
 Specify the objectives for laboratory experience and make them known to the students
 Outline general plan of activities in accord with objectives provide for co relation of activities with theory courses
 Arrange for needed facilities in advance know patients and projected area of study
 Provide necessary equipment check for availability and working condition
 Prepare instructions- verbal, written, taped, or in manual form but avoid unnecessary details in order to provide
creative thinking
 Plan for sequential learning experiences; allow progression according to individual abilities
 Supervise students through questions and examples, timing of guidance must be strategically planned.
 Provide reinforcement at regular intervals, keep record of daily progress
  Make self availability for group or individual help
 Summarize through discussion and individual conferences , data collection, organization of findings, method of
solving problems, common problems encountered and implications for use in solving other nursing problems
 Report results of progress to individual students and use information as basis for planning future learning
experiences
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
 Study necessary background material in accord with outlined objectives
 Formulate own objectives for pursuing assignment
 Outline plan of investigation, using own objective, teacher objectives, background knowledge, and prepared
instructions be prepared to justify plan of action
 Pursue plan of action , using teacher as resource for guidance in completing plan.
 Make need known to teacher , seek assistance in validation of data.
 Seek additional theoretical information by reading and further study inorder to understand and work through
presenting problem
 Validate action with classmates, nursing supervise person and other health team members
 Summarize data frequently to keep goals clearly in focus
 Report findings to group, reviewing problems, plan of action, significant data, findings, conclusion and
recommendation
 Evaluate self regarding progress made , area of strengths, and weakness and needed area of help to ensure future
growth
Type of activities to be utilized in the laboratory procedure
 Review of the plan for solving the problem
 Reports by students on data gathered or other findings
 Presentation of illustration materials or special contributions by students working on special problems
 Organization of findings and the conclusions may be exhibited and scored or rated by members of the class or by
competent judges outside the class
 Exhibition of various projects may be setup and explained by their student sponsors.
 Test may be used to measure achievement of students
Laboratory method in nursing education
Laboratory method will be used
 Development of skill through self activity
 Correlation of practice and theory
 Mastery of simple machine of nursing procedure
 Provision of situation as real life as possible
 Provision of an opportunity to evaluate the student performance
 Type of laboratory required for demonstration, learning, research, treatment, classroom, clinical, community
 Science laboratory: used to teach science subjects widely used I anatomy physiology, chemistry ,microbiology,
biophysics.
 Nutrition laboratory: used to teach basic knowledge about food and for practice of cooking food for normal as well
as sick.
 Nursing art laboratory of demonstration room: used for demonstration of some techniques’ in nursing and
procedures
 In the clinical setting eg hospital and community health agencies
 Professional nursing practice requires relevant knowledge, understanding and the ability to apply knowledge in
nursing actions. Nursing skills can be learned only through firsthand experience in clinical laboratory under careful
supervision.

Consideration to become a good lab teacher

Taking up practical classes is hectic. A sincere guide walks around to supervise his/her students. Therefore, most of the
time is spent standing and this is absolutely strenuous. Still one takes care of the students.
Point 1 ~ Self Preparation
You should know everything about what you are going to teach your students. You must know the details of the
experiment. Revise the techniques of the lab so that you make your students learn the correct way right from the
beginning. You should be well prepared to answer their questions and clarify their doubts. A good start is always needed
to begin an experiment.
Point 2 ~ Right Explanation
The worth of teacher is always weighed by students. Knowing everything is not enough. So what are the effective
teaching strategies in a lab? You should be capable of sharing your knowledge with your students. You must be able to
make them understand each and every scientific cause behind the observations. Your students will be curious to know
and so you have to be efficient enough to reply them confidently.
Point 3 ~ Starting Experiments
So how do you start the experiment? There are different ways to start with. The best is to explain the process orally
once, explaining the methods as written in the protocol. You should ask your students to follow the protocol before
handing the instruments. This way they will learn the correct procedures for performing the experiment. You can also
schematically explain the process.
Point 4 ~ Handling Instruments
This is one of the most important aspect to be considered while performing an experiment. Mishandling of instruments
might lead to accidents and breakage of expensive lab supplies. Show them how to hold the test tubes, light burners or
handle any instrument. Your students should follow you and should not try anything spontaneously if they are ignorant
about it.
Point 4 ~ explaining Observations
once the experiment is over, you are supposed to explain your students the reasons behind the observations. Explain
them the inference in details, so that no doubt remains in their mind. Relate the observation with the text they have
learned in their theory classes. Getting accurate results is quintessential for the success of an experiment.
Point 5 ~ Writing Reports
There are different ways to write lab reports. You should teach your student the sequence for writing a lab report
format. The typical structure of a thesis or lab reports begins with the aim of the experiment, the requisition and then
the detailed explanation of the process, methods techniques and the precautions required. At last, the observation
along with a good conclusion is cited. Diagrams, flow charts, formulas, schematic paths, etc. are important part of the
report.
Point 6 ~ Lab Safety
You should know the safety guidelines and lab safety symbols before teaching your students. You should explain them
the precautions needed for the experiment. Your students should know how to operate safety devices like oxygen
cylinders, masks, gloves, headbands, etc. This way mishap is avoided. You must always keep first aid inside the
laboratory to treat minor burns and blisters.

Summary and conclusion

Laboratory method is the part of studying the education which helps to give proof to the study which is based on
scientific principle. it is a type of instruction in which the student learns by actually doing the things by himself. So today
we discussed about laboratory as a teaching method. Its advantages disadvantages, phases, values and consideration to
become a good laboratory teacher. I think you will be able to utilize this knowledge in your teaching.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Neeraja KP. Text book of nursing education.1st edition,jaypee brothers medical publishers,2009.pp258-260.
2. Basavanthappa BT.Nursing education . 1st edition ,jaypee brothers medical publishers,2004.pp362-364
3. Google search