Teaching in University Science Laboratories (Developing Best Practice)

Instructors: Natasa Brouwer

14,247 already enrolled

7 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

152 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

7 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

152 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

Identify the purposes of implementing laboratory classes in higher education.
Provide strategies on how to increase student engagement.
Develop effective questions to probe student understanding of laboratory practice.
Create a rubric for assessing a student performing a lab activity and subsequent reports.

Skills you'll gain

Chemistry

Details to know

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Assessments

6 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

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There are 7 modules in this course

This course is developed to improve the effectiveness of laboratory classes in higher education. It aims to support teachers to improve their teaching skills for active learning in university science laboratory courses. It will show you how laboratory sessions can differ with respect to their aim and expected learning outcomes, how to engage students for learning and how to cope with their different levels of pre-knowledge and experience and probe their understanding. Last but not least it will show how you could assess students in laboratory courses.

In this module you will learn about different types of laboratory sessions and get acquainted with strategies that can improve student’s engagement in lab sessions. You will get an introduction about this course as a whole and set your personal goals for it.

What's included

1 video8 readings1 peer review4 discussion prompts

1 videoTotal 2 minutes

Introduction Module 12 minutes

8 readingsTotal 75 minutes

About this Course2 minutes
About Module 12 minutes
Reflection on your teaching10 minutes
Poll: The role of laboratory work in the science curriculum2 minutes
Subtitles introductory video1 minute
The role of laboratory work in university chemistry18 minutes
A Review of Laboratory Instruction Styles23 minutes
One possible way to engage students is context-based learning and role play17 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 45 minutes

Context-based learning45 minutes

4 discussion promptsTotal 40 minutes

Personal profile - Who I am & what do I want to learn from this course?10 minutes
Laboratory classes? - why should we have them?10 minutes
New and different types of lab session10 minutes
How can we increase student engagement in laboratory work? - exchange of good practice examples10 minutes

This module is about qualities needed to be a good laboratory teacher.

What's included

1 video7 readings1 peer review4 discussion prompts

1 videoTotal 3 minutes

Welcome to Module 23 minutes

7 readingsTotal 47 minutes

About Module 22 minutes
Transcript Video: Welcome to Module 23 minutes
Your best laboratory Instructor5 minutes
What defines an effective laboratory instructor?10 minutes
What Do Students Already Know?5 minutes
Pre-laboratory activities12 minutes
Laboratory teaching preparation sheet10 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 45 minutes

Laboratory Teaching - Tips and Strategies45 minutes

4 discussion promptsTotal 40 minutes

Key competencies for effective laboratory teaching10 minutes
Assessing student background10 minutes
Pre-laboratory activities10 minutes
Getting ready to teach a lab class10 minutes

This module is about the learning theories that can be applied to ensure effective teaching of laboratory work.

What's included

2 videos5 readings2 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

2 videosTotal 4 minutes

Learning theories in practice2 minutes
Johnstone's triangle summary2 minutes

5 readingsTotal 52 minutes

About module 32 minutes
Transcript for the Introduction to Module 3 video10 minutes
Formulating clear learning outcomes15 minutes
Johnstone's triangle10 minutes
Threshold concepts - an explanation15 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 4 minutes

Identifying learning outcomes in the laboratory2 minutes
Considering how Johnstone's Triangle applies in your context2 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Linking theory & laboratory practice60 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Threshold concepts in chemistry and other science subjects10 minutes

This module is about giving instruction in a lab session. We present different strategies how to support learning by questioning and how to prevent information overload.

What's included

3 videos5 readings1 peer review5 discussion prompts

3 videosTotal 13 minutes

Welcome to Module 42 minutes
Practical work instructions (Example 1)5 minutes
Practical work instructions (Example 2)5 minutes

5 readingsTotal 42 minutes

About module 42 minutes
Transcript Video: Welcome to Module 45 minutes
A model of how we learn20 minutes
Questioning skills10 minutes
Questioning stems5 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 45 minutes

Giving instructions and asking questions45 minutes

5 discussion promptsTotal 35 minutes

Giving instructions in lab classes7 minutes
Information overload8 minutes
Safety revision through questioning10 minutes
Getting ready to teach a lab class (II)10 minutes
Questions that promote learning - Practice in your lab (Optional activity)0 minutes

In this module we present the rubric, a tool which can be used for assessing and giving feedback to students on their learning goals. We also consider the concept of constructive alignment of learning outcomes, teaching and learning activities and assessment.

What's included

2 videos4 readings2 assignments1 peer review2 discussion prompts

2 videosTotal 10 minutes

Introduction to Module 53 minutes
How to develop a rubric8 minutes

4 readingsTotal 37 minutes

About module 52 minutes
Case study : Rubrics for project based research15 minutes
Teaching with Rubrics20 minutes
The rubric bank0 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 4 minutes

Short activity on aligning assessment with learning outcomes related to lab skills2 minutes
Take home messages from the Designing Scoring Rubrics video2 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Designing a rubric60 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 10 minutes

Teaching with rubrics10 minutes
The rubric bank (optional)0 minutes

In this module we ask you to look back on what you have learned in this online course and to make your own plan about the improvements of the laboratory course in which you teach.

What's included

1 reading2 assignments1 discussion prompt

This is an additional week for the ones who need it to finish all the assignments and get the cetificate of the course. Good luck!

What's included

1 reading

Instructors

Instructor ratings

(48 ratings)

Natasa Brouwer

1 Course14,247 learners

Gunther Fleerackers

1 Course14,247 learners

Claire McDonnell

1 Course14,247 learners

Offered by

University of Amsterdam

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Learner reviews

5 stars
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4 stars
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3 stars
1.96%
2 stars
2.61%
1 star
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Showing 3 of 152

5.0

Reviewed on May 13, 2020

This course is great. This course is specially designed for the teacher in chemistry who used to teach in the laboratory. But students of chemistry have a way to learn from this course.

5.0

Reviewed on Sep 6, 2021

Great course to know the best practices in lab teaching. I enjoyed every module of the course and learned a lot. Thank you Coursera.

5.0

Reviewed on May 4, 2025

I have completed the course. Why am I still seeing 93% instead of complete?

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