From Dublin descriptors to implementation in Bachelor labs

Journal of Physics Conference Series, vol. 1929, pp. 012065

Abstract

Abstract A description of the implementation of a completely renewed setup for Physics Bachelor labs is given. The renewed setup made use of the latest educational research insights and is described from the general Dublin descriptors and the CALOHEE assessment and National domain specific reference frame up to the concrete learning objectives that we aim for in the Bachelor practicals. A choice between more open and closed labs is discussed. This study makes use of educational design research and therefore mostly tests design principles. In general, the design principles behind the renewed setup have worked and students have been given a need to perform each step in the research process. Despite the courses becoming more challenging, students’ results have gone up. We attribute this to specific types of iterations within the closed practicals and on the alternation between closed and open labs. Overall, most students attained the experimental skills that we aimed for and by the end of the practicals in year 2 most students also obtained the most relevant CALOHEE dimension of ‘Experimental design and scientific inquiry’, designed to assess students after year 3. The remaining obstacles are identified and suggestions for future improvements are given.

Authors 2

1. P S W M Logman Aachen Faculty of Science, Leiden Institute of Physics

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University, Faculty of Science, Leiden Institute of Physics, Niels Bohrweg 2, 2333 CA Leiden, The Netherlands

2. Jaap Kautz Aachen Faculty of Science, Leiden Institute of Physics

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University, Faculty of Science, Leiden Institute of Physics, Niels Bohrweg 2, 2333 CA Leiden, The Netherlands