Susan W.Mburu 4/29/07

Teacher Reflections on Labs and Demonstrations

There is only one small lab at my school, which only seats 28 students, although most of the science classes have 33 students. 13 science teachers and approximately 1,400 students share the lab. The Lab does not have the required safety features such as; a safety shower, eyewash, fire blanket and a second exit door. The fume chamber does not work properly, and nearly all of the water tapes and gas tapes need to be serviced. The science lab is also disorganized, clattered and dirty and nobody really knows the chemicals and equipment that are available.

The lab technician is responsible for making a monthly schedule for teachers to take their classes to the lab. Some teachers chose not take students to the lab for various reasons, either because of the safety concerns or because they have been told that the lab materials they require are not available or simply because the date they are given is not appropriate for them. Most teachers would like to have the flexibility of using the lab when they need to, this is not always easy to arrange.

My classroom is a non-science classroom; I used to conduct demonstrations involving chemicals and an open flame. However, it was during the labs and demonstrations best practice session, when one of the presenters discussed lab safety, that I realized it is actually illegal to conduct science demonstrations or labs in a non-science classroom.

Faced with the inadequate lab facilities and resources at my school, I have stated incorporating interactive virtual labs and demos into my lesson plans.

Current research shows that virtual labs increase student learning of chemistry, they have the following advantages over wet labs:

· No safety risks

· No lab is required

· No preparation time is needed

· Serves as a powerful visual aid

· Can be used to demonstrate a wider variety of reactions

· Incorporate technology in the classroom

· increase students interest and motivation in chemistry

· Helps students understand the macro, micro (particulate) and symbolic representations of matter.

· Increase student understanding of chemistry concepts

· Increase student achievement

· No wastes, no environmental pollution

The main drawback for me is the lack of an adequate number of computers in my classroom and the lack of good virtual lab software. Currently I use my computer and a borrowed computer projector to show some of the free on-line virtual labs. However, experts say that virtual labs should not replace wet labs, and that students should be exposed to working with “live” chemicals and lab apparatus.

Since I now understand the critical role, labs play in the understanding of chemistry concepts, I have offered to assist the science head of department in reorganizing the school lab, and in exploring opportunities of acquiring facilities for virtual labs.