A Survey of the quantity and quality of laboratory work in British Columbia high schools, effects on provincial examination scores, and analysis of recommended resources
Date
1996
Authors
Gardiner, Peter Grace
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Abstract
The purposes of this research were to survey the quantity and quality of laboratory work conducted by Grade 11 and 12 Biology students in British Columbia High Schools, to analyze laboratory based questions and student performance on Provincial examinations, and to examine the curriculum for recommended laboratory work. A pilot survey produced a valid survey instrument that identified teachers use of laboratory activities in Biology 11 and 12. Examination and curriculum data were extracted from Ministry of Education documents. Survey data were used to generate statistics on school demographics, teachers, laboratory work, use of technology and constraints of the provincial curriculum and examination. The frequency of laboratory work was low overall, with quantitative activities less frequent than qualitative. Most laboratory exercises were confirmatory rather than investigative, and critical thinking, and formulating hypotheses, was rarely expected of the students. Many teachers reported that simulations of laboratory exercises and computer-based data collection was rarely or never used. Although laboratories are equipped adequately, teachers indicated that the curriculum and provincial examination limit the scope for an inquiry based course. An analysis of provincial examination results showed that the frequency and type of laboratory work had no effect on scores on lab-based questions. An analysis of the frequency and type of laboratory activities recommended in the syllabus was conducted and revealed that fewer laboratory activities are being conducted than are recommended in the course outline. This study demonstrates that while the current philosophy of teaching science is a constructivist, hands-on, minds-on, authentic learning experience, little change in classroom practice has occurred in British Columbia schools.