33*

Techniques of Teaching Physical Science

29.1 Laboratory Instructions

Instructions to Pupils When a group comes to the laboratory for practical work it should be given a guidance for the experiment to be performed. Such guidance can be given by ( i ) Laboratory instructions (ii) Laboratory manuals or ( H i ) Instruction cards. (i) Laboratory Instructions Laboratory instructions should be given in a clear and simple language. It should give a precise but systematic method of performing the experiment. Special emphasis should be given on how the record is to be kept and number of observations to be taken. Calculations have to be clearly explained and the precautions that have to be observed have to be specifically emphasised. (ii) Laboratory Manuals Any good laboratory manual should contain the following : a) It should contain full and complete directions about the experiment. Such directions should clearly give the procedure to be followed and the precautions to be observed. b) It should give the method of recording of observations. Tables if needed for recording observations should be clearly given. c) It should give clear directions about the writing and completing of practical notebook. Important equations, diagrams etc. have to be given in it. (iii) Instruction Card In some laboratories instruction cards are used for providing guidance for laboratory work. Each student is given a card containing instructions about the experiment he has to perform. The use of cards saves time as also the work of the teacher. By this system different students can perform different experiments but the system is stereotyped and makes no allowance for individuals. Pupils Practical Notebooks For keeping a record of practical work done by him each pupil is required to have a practical notebook. An effort could be made to avoid printed notebooks and use of plain notebooks should be encouraged. By using plain notebooks, the teacher can make his students to follow any suitable method of keeping record of the experiment. Science Laboratory , 335 As a general practice description is given on the right hand page and observations are recorded on the left hand page. In case assignment method is used, then the left hand page is reserved for preparatory work and laboratory record is kept on right 'hand page which contains description as also the observations. The record of the method should be brief and in the first person singular. A three column system should be used for keeping a record of experiments about the properties of gases etc. The three column should be titled Experiment, Observation and Inference. The precautions that have been observed while performing the experiment have to be recorded at the end - in the first person singular (past tense). All records in practical notebook have to be made with lead-pencil. The diagrams should be simple and well labelled.

various subject areas to the appropriate heads of departments while retaining final responsibility. The head of a science department has similar management functions as the head of the school, though on a different scale. Evidently, the major responsibility is the implementation of policy decisions affecting science curriculum, in the school. The overall aim of the head of a science department should be the development of a stimulating and interesting environment in which pupils, science staff and ancillary staff can T The "tasks ^'organisation" and"admihistratiorr' within a science department are likely to be more effectively carried out, if the following points are kept in mind. * Timetables (i) Compilation of school timetable: It is essential that the special requirements of science-with particular regard to laboratory time-tabling and use of double or triple periods-are made known and are stated explicitly. Problems associated with the movement of apparatus can be reduced if parallel classes are time-tabled for the same laboratory-possibly consecutively. (ii) Display of timetables: The copies of the complete school timetable, the laboratory timetables and timetables of all science

29

VOrganisation of Laboratory J^^seUxcftfef?

The management tasks faced by the head of a school are manifold. In pursuing the objectives of the school, the head has to make the best use of available human and material resources, and delegate authority for the

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Techniques of Teaching Physical Science

teachers, sh'ould be displayed on large pinboards for easy reference. This will help the head of the department to have a complete picture of staff commitments, thus facilitating substitutions alterations in laboratory time-tabling. * Noticeboard A noticeboard should be fixed outside the science laboratory with up-to-date information. This should contain science laboratories timetables, a list of laboratory rules, the experiments in each cycle, notices from examination boards, public examination timetables, etc. * Storage System A well organised storage system enables easy collection of apparatus from the store and its transfer, generally by trolley to the laboratory in readiness for the lesson. Factors to be considered in planning the location and design of preparation and storage facilities, require a careful analysis of the facilities available in the school. Also, the age range of the pupils, the degree of emt>hasis on teaching science, the degree to which pupils are encouraged in independent learning activities and the selection of apparatus, also count. The basic principles to be applied for effective storage are: i) Labelling Every item must be assigned a specific place for storage. The item itself and its container, should bear a number to correspond with the number in the indexing system. The storage place should be clearly and boldly labelled, to assist with visual checks on the availability of an item and the retrieval and return after use. Self-checking devices, such as having eight spaces for eight items, or small boxes or sections of trays with a stated number of items, assist efficiency. ii) Accessibility The most frequently used items should be the most accessible. Bunsen burners, tripods, stands, clamps and basic glassware, can be stored close to working areas, in the laboratory itself. Heavy items should be kept on the lower shelves. iii) Safety Left overs should be cleared up, poisonous chemicals should be placed out of reach. Ladder or steps should be used to reach higher Science Laboratory 33. shelves. High standards of cleanliness and good laboratory discipline should be inculcated. iv) Indexing and Retrieval As the number and range of resources in the department increase, a carefully designed and simple index system should be adopted. Most storage systems involve the use of standardised sizes of plastic or wooden trays or plastic coated wire baskets, whose dimensions vary in depth. These trays can be put into the same storage frame or trolley. A range of trolleys for apparatus and audio-visual aids, may be needed to fulfil a variety of requirements. For some corrosive poisonous or rare expensive chemicals or items, a clearly labelled locked cupboard should be provided. To minimise the problem of dust, sides and backs can be added to open storage frames. It may also be convenient to store apparatus in uniform and clearly labelled cardboard boxes which make maximum use of available shelf space. Kits of apparatus can be split, so that boxes or trays contain only the items required for a particular experiment. The checking of the apparatus in the beginning and the end of practical work is essential. This process is made easier if the items are provided in standard numbers, or if components have special slots or spaces for the right number in the tray or box so that only a visual check is required. The preparation area should be provided with the usual services such as gas and electricity, a sink with water. Part of the bench top should be covered with a heat resistant material, and a small workshop bench with a supply of tools will enable simple repairs to be done as required. * Ancillary Staff The need for adequate laboratory assistance in a science department has been recognised for a long time. Unfortunately the need is not always met in practice. However, it is necessary to have a laboratory attendant attached to each lab who has the following major responsibilities:

T e c h n i q u e s o f T e a c h i n g P h y s i c a l S c i e n c e

storage including labelling, organisation of distribution and transfer of materials and audio-visual aids within the science department, maintenance of filing system, catalogues and up-to-date price lists. Safety and security including safe disposal of chemical waste materials, first aid, access to laboratories and stores, checking of services, windows, doors, and reporting the damage of equipment to the head of the science department. \

ii)

iii)

29.3 Procurement

s
Preparation of Indent
The maintenance of stock in a working condition, the requisitioning of new resources within the allotted science budget and the establishment of an efficient system for the dispatch of repairs and receipt of supplies, are among the important functions of the head of the department. While making a list of requirements, the following factors have to be considered. i) The choice of suppliers: A list of suppliers of scientific apparatus with catalogues containing descriptions and

iv)

v)

- Organisation of holiday roster, attendance, and time keeping. - Stock control, including annual tock check, breakage record books,
legal records, poisons, flammable liquids and alcohol

dimensions of individual items should be documented. Finance: Finance is the single most important deciding factor in. most cases. The teachers in the science department must make a note of items, giving clear specifications of their needs. These needs can then be categorised as essential, highly desirable or a desirable luxury, so that priorities can be drawn up before requisitions. Size of the science department: The number and size of science groups will have to be taken into consideration. The head of the science department will have to consider the number of periods of science in laboratories and in demonstrations. Level of the students: A school offering physics and chemistry as electives at senior secondary level will require a better equipped laboratory than a secondary school, where only demonstrations are generally performed. Storage: It is essential that there be enough accommodation for all the articles ordered. Inadequate space for storage often leads to breakage of the items and wastage due to inaccessibility

when required. vi) Knowledge and ability of the teacher: A teacher should have a realistic awareness of her capabilities and limitations. For instance, asking for an apparatus with which the teacher is not well versed with or does not know how to operate/use doesn't solve any purpose. After a list of the required items has been made, a copy is sent to three or more companies and quotations obtained. The description of each separate item must include the manufacturer's or buying agency's catalogue reference number, the quantity required and a precise description as given in the catalogue. Care should be taken in specifying the quantities. Chemicals, are often sold in minimum quantities. Some items may be sold in packets of five :>r ten, with a discount for orders above a given number. On receipt of the quotations, the head of department along with the concerned teachers decides on which supplier to place the order with. This decision is taken after giving due consideration to several factors, often a balance between quantity and finance has to be achieved. On receiving the goods, the science teacher

checks with the list before signing for their receipt. The goods should be checked as soon as possible against the delivery note and the order, in the departmental order book. Each piece of equipment should be checked to ensure that it is in full working order. Any discrepancies, broken or damaged items, .incorrect quantities or wrong goods supplied, must be noted immediately so that the head of the department can inform the suppliers stating the order number, its date etc.

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Techniques of Teaching Physical Science

- Poisons and other corrosive chemicals should be kept under lock and key. All chemicals should be clearly labelled. All the apparatus should be cleaned after use. Chemicals like silver nitrate, which decompose on exposure to light, should be kept in coloured bottles and hygroscopic chemicals stored in air-tight jars/containers. Minimum use of chemicals should be encouraged for experiment. Hot apparatus should not be kept on painted surfaces. Cold apparatus should not be heated suddenly. Corks and stoppers should not be interchanged. Iron apparatus should be greased regularly to prevent rusting. Wooden items should be regularly polished. Brass apparatus should be polished regularly. Tables on which chemistry experiments are performed should be treated suitably. Breakages should be noted down immediately, j The Storage of Chemicals </ The chemicals on the shelves in the cupboards should be grouped in a systematic manner. The common chemicals should be arranged in such a manner that all the compounds of one element are placed together. The elements are often arranged in alphabetical order. An alternative method is to

Care and Maintenance of Apparatus

(29.4

Apparatus should be purchased in the quantity which can be stored in the laboratory; otherwise it will be destroyed or soiled. Every item should be designated a fixed place. Registers (consumer, breakage, stock, order) should be updated regularly. Remaining items should be kept on racks, ready for use. Heavy items like cans of distilled^ water, iron stands should be kept in the lower part of shelves. Reagents and chemicals in frequent use should be kept on working table racks.

arrange the elements and their compounds in the order in which they occur in the groups of the periodic table. A third method is to group all the elements oxides, sulphates, citrates and other similar compounds together. Whichever method is used, it is an advantageous to number each bottle or jar and to have an index book so that any substance can be located at a moment's notice. The bottles must be replenished periodical!./. All labels should be brushed over with melted paraffin wax in order to avoid fading and prevent deterioration and to ensure permanent adhesion.

Mainte nance of Regist ers in Scienc e Labora tory

[ After the receipt of the apparatus, the articles should be proj5eTly checked and entered in the stock registers. A proper record of the science apparatus is very important to check any article at any time, also it tfacilitates in giving concrete answers to management during auditing. The types of registers which a science department can maintain are: - Permanent stock register - Breakable stock register - C o n s u m a b l e s t o c k

- Requirement register
r e g i s t e r O r d e r r e g i s t e r - Permanent stock register The permanent stock register contains details of items which are not liable to be consumed or broken, like troughs, test-tube racks, magnets, wooden stands etc. Some articles like lenses, thermometer, ammeters are also entered in this register, as they are considered nonconsumable. Also in this register, one could enter the working and non-working models, the laboratory has, viz. charts, cameras microscopes, telescopes, spectrometers etc. Table-10: Specimen of Permanent Stock Register Item
Details of Company Rate

Month and Date Particulars

No. of on Teacher's Breakage Signature . Hand Items