Dissertation Project by Elina Platova Optimisation and evaluation of a laboratory practical course for trainee teachers

Laboratory practice represents a substantial part of science courses. This is often criticised at universities, however, since many experiments involve “cookbook-like” instructions. The aim of the study is therefore to optimise a beginners’ practical course in general chemistry in order to prompt students to reflect on the experiments they have to carry out. Against this background, cognitive activation measures are implemented based on the learning objectives of the practical course. The assumption is that this will increase learning success in relation to subject knowledge, methodological knowledge and interest. For this purpose, an intervention study was carried out with a control group design. The pilot study carried out in the winter semester of 2012/13 was followed by a main study in the winter semester of 2013/14 (N=31). A comparison of the intervention and control group showed no significant differences in relation to subject knowledge and lab skills. In the winter semester of 2014/15, data was collected once again in order to increase the number of cases. In this survey, additional qualitative data was gathered.