Page 11 - Science@UM365Dec2020

TEACHING & LEARNING

Engaging Students
The Focus Another challenge for virtual practical
Laboratory experience in organic chemistry sessions is engaging the students
particularly refers to motor skills and the handling over long hours. The usual practical
of hazardous materials. Unfortunately training of session in Chemistry programs covers
these skills cannot be conducted on a virtual basis. six hours in one day. We opined that a
However, techniques can be demonstrated in variety of tasks and delivery methods
video clips along with common mistakes and their should be adopted for our virtual
consequences. Separation of stages combined with sessions. Different tasks and delivery
interactive components, enable students to methods were designed for different
recognise the impact of proper conduct of an experiments to provide non-
experiment. monotonous learning experience.
In one approach, students are required to describe Virtual sessions start with an
the operation of the experiment in detail. This interactive briefing on the
description should reflect the operation of the experiment, followed by the
experiment inside a physical laboratory and methodology video. Students will
typically exceeds the instructions in the laboratory then be assigned a set of raw data
manual – particularly for higher levels. The and tasks to complete. The afternoon
procedure is subsequently analysed by the session is allocated for discussion of
lecturer, who either provides feedback in the form data analysis and interpretation. With
of virtual results for further operation, or requests appropriate guidance and
for amendments to account for mistakes. The stimulation, students can be
approach is particularly useful for multistage responsive and enthusiastic to
experiments, like the analysis of unknown present and discuss their results.
compounds.
The separation of stages for virtual lab tasks
typically gets impractical for multistep syntheses.
Afterthoughts
Here, a change in the focus was applied: Instead of We recognise that hands-on skills are
the operation of the experiment, students were
of utmost importance to students.
asked to analyse an individual experimental Unfortunately, even the best virtual
procedure. This task aims for a rationalization of laboratory teaching cannot cover that
each operational step, thereby addressing a
crucial aspect in the education of an
common challenge for students. Practically, the experimental scientist. Therefore,
approach converts a laboratory session into
remedial programs were planned to
theoretical classwork, but the experimental focus compensate missing practical
remains. This way the content differs significantly
experience and bridge resulting gaps.
from theoretical classes.
The programs will target all affected
levels and will be conducted once the
students return to campus. On the
Organic Chemistry Section bright side, we may even maintain
Department of Chemistry some of the deliverables and
methods we had devised for the
Faculty of Science virtual practical session when the

Universiti Malaya physical practical session resumes
later.

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