Preparation for a Laboratory Exercise : the effects of writing a summary

Abstract: This degree project has studied how a changed preparation affected students' outcome of a laboratory exercise. Through use of cognitive load theory and sociocultural theory a guided writing of summary was designed. Students in secondary school were let to prepare for a laboratory exercise through a traditional teacher led introduction or the guided writing of summary. Data was collected as observations, worksheets, tests and evaluations. Results suggest that the guided writing of summary facilitated a construction of cognitive schema supporting students' method. This made them follow instructions and understand purpose of the laboratory exercise before and during the exercise in a better way than students preparing through a teacher led introduction. Furthermore students' perception of aim of the exercise shifted from theoretical work afterwards to theoretical work before and practical work during the exercise. This shows an improved understanding of links between theory and practice.