20
OPEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITI TERBUKA MALAYSIA 1 The conduct of Science Practical for Working adults in an Open and Distance (ODL) setting T. Santhanadass P. Rajesh Kumar Faculty of Science & Technology, Open University Malaysia

OPEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITI TERBUKA MALAYSIA 1 The conduct of Science Practical for Working adults in an Open and Distance (ODL) setting T. Santhanadass

  • View
    214

  • Download
    0

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: OPEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITI TERBUKA MALAYSIA 1 The conduct of Science Practical for Working adults in an Open and Distance (ODL) setting T. Santhanadass

OPEN UNIVERSITYOPEN UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITI TERBUKAMALAYSIA

1

The conduct of Science Practical for Working adults in an Open and Distance(ODL) setting

T. Santhanadass

P. Rajesh Kumar

Faculty of Science

& Technology,

Open University Malaysia

Page 2: OPEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITI TERBUKA MALAYSIA 1 The conduct of Science Practical for Working adults in an Open and Distance (ODL) setting T. Santhanadass

OPEN UNIVERSITYOPEN UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITI TERBUKAMALAYSIA

2

Contents

• Introduction• OUM• B. Ed (Sc)-OUM • OUM practical

limitation • The processes• Some issues

Page 3: OPEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITI TERBUKA MALAYSIA 1 The conduct of Science Practical for Working adults in an Open and Distance (ODL) setting T. Santhanadass

OPEN UNIVERSITYOPEN UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITI TERBUKAMALAYSIA

3

Introduction

Laboratory activities are an important component in science based programmes

They help students understand the basic concepts in science.

- Tobin, K.G (1990) concluded, that “laboratory activities appeal as a way to learn with understanding and, at the same time, engage in a process of constructing knowledge by doing science”.

Page 4: OPEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITI TERBUKA MALAYSIA 1 The conduct of Science Practical for Working adults in an Open and Distance (ODL) setting T. Santhanadass

OPEN UNIVERSITYOPEN UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITI TERBUKAMALAYSIA

4

• According to Kerr(1963),there are many aims of laboratory practical work.

• Some of them are to encourage accurate observations and careful reasoning, promote simple, common sense, scientific methods of thought, to verify scientific, and to maintain interest in science subjects.

• Laboratory practical also enable students to plan and involve themselves in various activities such as observing, classifying, collecting data, explaining, while carrying out the experiment.

Page 5: OPEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITI TERBUKA MALAYSIA 1 The conduct of Science Practical for Working adults in an Open and Distance (ODL) setting T. Santhanadass

OPEN UNIVERSITYOPEN UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITI TERBUKAMALAYSIA

5

Open University Malaysia (OUM)

• OUM is an open distance learning institution with an enrolment of over 100,000 learners spread over 60 learning centres throughout Malaysia

• OUM blends the learning approach to suit the needs of its adult learners.

• The blended learning approach encompasses– face-to-face tutorial sessions, – self-managed learning – e-learning or online learning that is facilitated by an

online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). – Laboratory session (for science subjects)

Page 6: OPEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITI TERBUKA MALAYSIA 1 The conduct of Science Practical for Working adults in an Open and Distance (ODL) setting T. Santhanadass

OPEN UNIVERSITYOPEN UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITI TERBUKAMALAYSIA

6

B. Ed (Sc) programme in OUM

• The B. Ed (Sc) programme consists of core science courses such as chemistry, physics and biology. There is a mandatory laboratory component for these courses.

• OUM believes in providing “hands-on” laboratory practical sessions for students to strengthen their understanding of concepts that they have studied from their modules.

• OUM is NOT in anyway providing lesser amount of knowledge, skills and information for their lab courses compared to conventional universities –adhere’s to MQA guidelines

• We provide space for students to develop their practical skills to be on par with other science graduates.

Page 7: OPEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITI TERBUKA MALAYSIA 1 The conduct of Science Practical for Working adults in an Open and Distance (ODL) setting T. Santhanadass

OPEN UNIVERSITYOPEN UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITI TERBUKAMALAYSIA

7

Options

• ODL providers tend to offer laboratory practicals in different modes as follows:– Home study kits (at home)– Virtual Labs– Conventional labs (over certain week long) – On weekends (labs) - OUM

Page 8: OPEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITI TERBUKA MALAYSIA 1 The conduct of Science Practical for Working adults in an Open and Distance (ODL) setting T. Santhanadass

OPEN UNIVERSITYOPEN UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITI TERBUKAMALAYSIA

8

Why do we rent labs? • COST!!! (for student and for the university)if

we build labs at learning centers• Student distribution.• Working adults.• Chemical storage• Equipment maintenance• Safety issues

Page 9: OPEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITI TERBUKA MALAYSIA 1 The conduct of Science Practical for Working adults in an Open and Distance (ODL) setting T. Santhanadass

OPEN UNIVERSITYOPEN UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITI TERBUKAMALAYSIA

9

The processes……..

Page 10: OPEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITI TERBUKA MALAYSIA 1 The conduct of Science Practical for Working adults in an Open and Distance (ODL) setting T. Santhanadass

OPEN UNIVERSITYOPEN UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITI TERBUKAMALAYSIA

10

The preparation

• 2 months before:– Faculty executive will collate information on the

number of students registered for the courses with laboratory components at the respective learning centers from the registry.

– The program coordinator (PC) will Identify and finalize lab centers( lab center–public uni labs)

– Lab application letter with complete detail of manpower requirement is sent out to the lab center

Page 11: OPEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITI TERBUKA MALAYSIA 1 The conduct of Science Practical for Working adults in an Open and Distance (ODL) setting T. Santhanadass

OPEN UNIVERSITYOPEN UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITI TERBUKAMALAYSIA

11

The letter consists of a “lab kit” with the following information:

– Date and time of the lab sessions– Student attendance list / mark sheet– Practical schedule– Safety procedures– Responsibilities of Lab coordinator and Demonstrator– List of experiments– List of apparatus needed– Proposed payment rates– Guidelines in marking laboratory reports– Important datelines

Page 12: OPEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITI TERBUKA MALAYSIA 1 The conduct of Science Practical for Working adults in an Open and Distance (ODL) setting T. Santhanadass

OPEN UNIVERSITYOPEN UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITI TERBUKAMALAYSIA

12

Lab Coordinator (LC)– Lab coordinator is responsible in organizing

the lab session at the selected university.– Reporting to Program coordinator (OUM)

Demonstrator– Demonstrator will be heading each lab and

demonstrates the experiments with the students

– Reporting to Lab coordinator

Page 13: OPEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITI TERBUKA MALAYSIA 1 The conduct of Science Practical for Working adults in an Open and Distance (ODL) setting T. Santhanadass

OPEN UNIVERSITYOPEN UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITI TERBUKAMALAYSIA

13

Demonstrator

Page 14: OPEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITI TERBUKA MALAYSIA 1 The conduct of Science Practical for Working adults in an Open and Distance (ODL) setting T. Santhanadass

OPEN UNIVERSITYOPEN UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITI TERBUKAMALAYSIA

14

Meeting with the LC - 2 weeks before practical session…

LCs will be invited to OUM main campus to- brief on the roles and responsibilities. - review the list of the experiments.- Suggest alternative experiments in the case of the

unavailability of certain apparatus/equipment - discuss assessment & grading of students’ lab reports.- discuss administrative matters - deadlines, payments etc

Page 15: OPEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITI TERBUKA MALAYSIA 1 The conduct of Science Practical for Working adults in an Open and Distance (ODL) setting T. Santhanadass

OPEN UNIVERSITYOPEN UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITI TERBUKAMALAYSIA

15

2 weeks before

• Faculty executive will upload the lab announcement in the My faculty announcement in MyVLE (OUM Portal)

• The announcement contains:– Lab schedule, date, time, place and name list – Laboratory rules and requirements (lab coats,

shoes and safety goggle)

Page 16: OPEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITI TERBUKA MALAYSIA 1 The conduct of Science Practical for Working adults in an Open and Distance (ODL) setting T. Santhanadass

OPEN UNIVERSITYOPEN UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITI TERBUKAMALAYSIA

16

On the day• Laboratory sessions are

conducted for two sessions (two days) on any scheduled weekend.

• Students need to attend both days and complete 5-6 experiments.

• Each experiment can be completed within two hours and three experiments are completed per day (approx 6-8 hours).

• Students are given two weeks to complete their laboratory reports, which are graded by the laboratory coordinator.

• Laboratory reports contribute to 10-15 % of the final grade for science courses which have a laboratory component

Page 17: OPEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITI TERBUKA MALAYSIA 1 The conduct of Science Practical for Working adults in an Open and Distance (ODL) setting T. Santhanadass

OPEN UNIVERSITYOPEN UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITI TERBUKAMALAYSIA

17

Page 18: OPEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITI TERBUKA MALAYSIA 1 The conduct of Science Practical for Working adults in an Open and Distance (ODL) setting T. Santhanadass

OPEN UNIVERSITYOPEN UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITI TERBUKAMALAYSIA

18

2 weeks after practical session

• Student will submit their written lab reports to the LC.

• LC will update the mark in OMES and submit the claim forms.

• PC will verify the marks in OMES

• Executive will compile all the documents

• Budget coordinator verify the claims

• Dean approves the claims.

Page 19: OPEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITI TERBUKA MALAYSIA 1 The conduct of Science Practical for Working adults in an Open and Distance (ODL) setting T. Santhanadass

OPEN UNIVERSITYOPEN UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITI TERBUKAMALAYSIASome issues….

• Space constraints (20-25 students per lab)

• Date constraints (limited weekends)

• Remuneration (LC demands)

• Rural areas (cost of traveling)

19

Page 20: OPEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITI TERBUKA MALAYSIA 1 The conduct of Science Practical for Working adults in an Open and Distance (ODL) setting T. Santhanadass

OPEN UNIVERSITYOPEN UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITI TERBUKAMALAYSIA

20

• Thank you..