PLANNING OF LABORATORY WORK

 

PLANNING OF LABORATORY WORK

 

Physics laboratory

          Science has occupied almost unparallel position in every held. Its evaluation in the last few decades has necessitated the need of well-developed students with scientific attitude and for it we need well equipped laboratories.

   Science help in developing certain values like intellectual values, utilitarian values, cultural values, moral values, and aesthetic values. These can be achieved only if the students get the opportunities to test the knowledge of the principles and theories through experiments and practical work. In other words, science teaching cannot be properly conducted without good laboratory.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD LABORATORY

The physics laboratory setting should possess the following characteristics features.

1. It should be quite spacious so that students get freedom of movement right throughout the practical experiments.
2. It must be adequate enough irrespective of ventilation, aeration, electricity, water supply, gas connections etc.
3. It should be such planned that it provides elements of flexibility for effective demonstrations, performing science club activities, working of students individually or in group, projecting audio-visual aids etc.
4. It should be preferably located at ground floor and on the extreme end of the school building that class-room teaching does not get disturbed while pupils move from one place to another.
5. A good laboratory provides enough teacher supervision of students work.
6. The laboratory should get adequate natural light.
7. It must have sufficient space for storing the equipments.
8. There should be a demonstration table of 270cm X 75 cm X 90cm.
9. The floor of laboratory should be strongly built which is safe, attractive and does not slippery at all.

OBJECTIVES OF PHYSICS LABORATORY

1.       To develop scientific concepts and principles with first hand experiences.

2.       To develop scientific attitude, appreciation, interest and skills in students.

3.       To illustrates scientific knowledge and understanding of abstract concepts.

4.       To use it as an educational device for providing training in scientific method.

5.       To waken and sustain the scientific temper in students.

PHYSICS LABORATORY SETTING

    For efficient physics instruction a well-equipped laboratory is must. The NCERT recommendations for physics laboratory given as follows,

1. Laboratory should be located away from the normal class-room preferably on the ground floor.
2. The room should be constructed at one end of the building having a wide corridor. It should be well ventilated and has sufficient light.
3. The dimension of the room should be 45’X25’X12’.
4. There should be enough number of 100W bulbs or florescent tubes fitted in the laboratory for light.
5. The demonstration table and black board should be located in such a way that both receive enough natural light.
6. There should be a dark room and store room attached to the laboratory.
7. There should be adequate number of working tables, stools and almirahs for the storage of apparatus and equipment.
8. There should be proper water supply and provision for drainage system.

CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EFFECTIVE PHYSICSL LABORATORY

  A Good physics laboratory should have the following facilities;

1.       Proportional room.

2.       Preparation room.

3.       Display board and a display almirah.

4.       A few sinks.

5.       Adequate supply of electrical main outlets.

6.       Demonstration table.

7.       Chalk board.

8.       Gas outlets.

9.       Adequate light.

10.   Adequate storage for all types of apparatus.

11.   Space for project work.

12.   Dark room.

13.   Working table.

14.   Ventilation.

15.   Stools for students.

LABORATORY INSTRUCTIONS

For the effective use of laboratory as a resource of learning physics with real experimentation, a teacher should give certain instructions to the students. These instructions must begiven to them before they enter to the laboratory. The important instructions that a teacher should give are:

1.       Laboratory Instructions.

2.       Laboratory manual and

3.       Laboratory Cards.

1.Laboratory Instructions:

      The students are given some general instructions to the students for do’s and don’ts in the laboratory. These may include the information like precautions to ne taken, roper using of the laboratory equipments.

2.Laboratory Manual:

       For the successful completion of the experiments each student must be given a printed hand out of laboratory manual. A good manual should satisfy the following:

          i.            It should give complete guidance regarding title, circuit diagram procedure, readings calculations and result of the experiment.

        ii.            It should indicate the method of recording the observations.

       iii.            It should guide the students for writing the report.

       iv.            Diagrams, table etc. if required must be given clearly.

         v.            It should contain a list for reference of enrichment.

3. Instructional Cards:

      For smooth and better conducting of laboratory experiments in physics a teacher should prepare an instructional card for each one the experiments that are going to be performed. Each student in a given card containing instructions for conducting the experiments. It should furnish following details.

a)       Its size should be 6’ X 6’.

b)      For every experiment separate card should be written clearly.

c)       The title of the experiment should be written clearly.

d)      The aim of the experiment should be explained clearly.

e)      Major precautions to be taken in conducting the experiment should be mentioned.

f)        Procedure of conducting the experiment must be given with circuit diagrams.

g)       Method of interpreting the result should be given.

h)      It needs to be application aspect of the experiment must be given.

i)        Questions may help in reaching the conclusion should be written.

LABORATORY RECORDS

      Physics teacher must maintain certain records in the laboratory to carry out laboratory to carry out laboratory work and to equip the laboratory time to time. Such records are as follows.

1. Indent register.
2. Purchase register.
3. Permanent stock register.
4. Breaking register.
5. Consumable register.
6. Attendance register.
7. Practical record.

MAINTENANCE OF LABORATORY RECORDS

      In order to make laboratory work a successful maintenance of discipline in the laboratory become very essential. Therefore, it becomes the responsibility of a teacher to maintain discipline and it can be achieved from the following.

a)       Students are not allowed to the laboratory in the absence of the teacher.

b)      The relevant materials only to be used.

c)       No equipment removed simply.

d)      Equipments of laboratory are to be used only in the laboratory.

e)      There should be no unnecessary movements in the laboratory.

f)        Breakage and faults in equipment must be reported to the teacher.

g)       Nothing should be tested for fun sake.

h)      Materials, after use must be cleaned and replaced at right places.

i)        Water, gas, electricity must not be wasted.

j)        Working tables must be left clean.

k)       Students should not waste the chemicals.

l)        Wear slipper while in laboratory.

m)    Silence should be maintained in the laboratory.