Written report

These are probably the most conventional forms of assessment of students' laboratory work. Reporting mirrors an important activity in the careers of many UTS graduates and plays a useful role in building an appreciation of the ways in which people in those careers work and in the socialisation of students. The main cautions needed are to realise that both are indirect techniques and that both are post hoc reconstructions (the same is often said of scientific publications but in student cases, present a need for checking what actually transpired in the classes).

Other cautions include the need to protect against bias on grounds of gender and to be aware that it has sometimes been found that the factor most highly correlated with high grades is neatness, illustrating the need for clear criteria rather than impressionistic marking.

Source

Dr Elizabeth Hazel, Centre for Learning and Teaching.

References

Boud D, Dunn J and Hegarty-Hazel E (1986) Teaching in Laboratories. Milton Keynes: Open University Press.

Dunn J (1986) Assessment of Students. In Boud D, Dunn J and Hegarty-Hazel E (1986).

Gibbs G and Jacques D (1987) Labs and Practicals. Oxford: Oxford Polytechnic Educational Methods Unit.

Hegarty-Hazel E (1990) The Student Laboratory and the Science Curriculum. London: Routledge.

A. Criteria for Observation of Manipulative Skills (Englen and Kempa, 1974)

B. Written Tests on Laboratory Work (Dunn 1986)

In an experiment the 'dynamic method' is used to measure the 'force constant' of a spring.

By a 'graphical method' determine this force constant.

Your answer should include:

1. A table of data with error limits shown
2. Plotted data showing error limits on the individual points and on the line of best fit to the points
3. The calculated gradient +error
4. The force constant +error,given in SI units.

THEORY:

The period T of oscillation of a bob of mass m suspended on a spring of force constant k is given by

T2=4n2M + 4n2M
    k      3k 

where M, is the mass of the spring.

DATA:

Figure 4.9

A pencil and paper test for various experimental skills in data manipulation.

next part involved the drawing in of the correct connections using the circuit diagram. This is quite a useful test item since it tests the ability of the student to convert an abstract concept into a practical reality.

The circuit on the next page has been wired incorrectly. The circuit should have been wired according to the following diagram:

• indicate the location of each error by drawing a circle around it.
• Make a brief comment to describe the nature of the error.
• Use the components on the last page to show how the circuit should be wired.

Figure 4.10

Pencil and paper test to check student's ability to locate and correct errors in a wiring diagram. (A photograph was used to illustrate the circuit in question.)

Locate the wiring errors and indicate the location of each error by drawing a circle around it.

Make a brief comment to describe the nature of the error.

Use the components on the last page to show how the circuit should be wired.

Figure 4.10

Pencil and paper test for checking student ability tolocate and correct errors in a wiring diagram. (A photograph was used to illustrate the circuit in question.)

(Originally published in Trigwell, K. (1992). Information for UTS staff on Assessment. Sydney: UTS Working Party on Assessment).