PRACTICAL WORK

Critical Evaluation of the Role of Practical Work

Abstract

Of all the different disciplines in education, science has benefitted the most from practical work. Practical work makes part and parcel of teaching and learning. Although practical work has made part of education since many years, the England has always focused on implementing practical work in teaching. The feasibility and value of practical work can be assessed in terms of value of practical work can be assessed in terms of the support it gives to students in their learning. One of the most important values of practical work is that it leads to the development of skills. This refers to the improvement and development in personal, learning and thinking skills. This is considered as a key element of science teaching. The paper discusses practical work in science as a concept, support the development of concepts, feasibility and value of practical work, promotion of cross curricula knowledge, ethical dilemmas raised in the use of practical work and personal reflection as learner.

Table of Contents

Introduction1

Practical work in science1

Feasibility and value of practical work3

Skill development3

PTL skill development3

Experiential Learning3

Independent Learning4

Different ways of learning4

Promotion of cross curricula knowledge4

Developer's objectives5

Activity specification5

Classroom events5

Learning outcomes5

Ethical dilemmas raised in the use of practical work6

Personal reflection as learner7

Conclusion8

References10

Critical Evaluation of the Role of Practical Work

Introduction

Of all the different disciplines in education, science has benefitted the most from practical work. Practical work makes part and parcel of teaching and learning. Although practical work has made part of education since many years, England has focused much more on implementing practical work in teaching when compared with other countries. The average number of hours spent in the practical labs by 13 to 14 years of children in England is much higher than children in many other developed countries (Abrahams & Reiss, 2010, p. 26). This gives science teachers in UK hands on approach to their jobs. Practical work is considered as a key element of science teaching.

The paper discusses practical work in science as a concept, how practical work supports the development of concepts, feasibility and value of practical work, promotion of cross curricula knowledge, ethical dilemmas raised in the use of practical work and personal reflection as learner.

Practical work in science

Practical work in teaching and learning may be understood as learning by doing. If there is no opportunity for lab work, there is a chance that children will not be able to grasp the concepts. Science is a practical subject. Hence, without practical work there is no guarantee that children will gain anything at all. Learning is much better when coupled with practical work (Duggan, 2006, p. 791).

There is no disagreement on the importance of practical work in science. Researchers and those involved in the profession of learning and teaching mutually agree that practical work assures student engagement and interest. In addition, children develop many other skills by doing things for themselves. Science is not a subject that can be learned only through knowledge. Knowledge alone will bring a halt to the ...