FLIPPED LABORATORY: AUTONOMOUS LEARNING IN ACQUIRING SKILLS FOR PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY PRACTICES

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction and Objectives: The Flipped Learning methodology was applied in the laboratory practical sessions of Physical Chemistry (FL-L) in the degrees of Pharmacy and Experimental Sciences at the Rey Juan Carlos University (URJC). The main purpose is to promote responsible and autonomous student learning to enhance student motivation and collaboration between teacher and student [1]. The project has been motivated by the detected lack of prior autonomous preparation required from students before their practical sessions that justifies the necessity of addressing the issue with alternative methodologies. The Flipped Classroom model used in laboratory practical classes represents a form of blended learning that allows to combine alternative strategies outside the laboratory with those in-person, taking the advantages of the strengths of both modalities at each stage of the educational process [2].

Methodology: The "Adsorption Isotherm" laboratory practice was chosen for its development [3]. To implement the FL-L methodology, additional material (self-made videos, presentations, etc.) was elaborated, which has been provided to students during the previous days for preparing the laboratory session. At the beginning of each practical session, a teacher-student discussion was initiated, questions were raised, and active formative feedback was established through specifically designed rubrics using the interactive WooClap tool. These can be displayed on the laboratory screen for students to compare their responses with those of their peers. To complete the evaluation prior to the session, students undergo a brief test on the material, fundamentals, and objectives to be achieved in the practical session. This mark can be considered along with the correction of the laboratory notebook. Once the students had demonstrated enough independence, they were prepared to conduct the practical session with minimal supervision from the teacher. To make the session more enjoyable and engaging for the students, they are allowed to use the specially created hashtag for the activity (#IA-LURJC) on their social media, capturing images and/or videos during the practice session. Finally, the students are subjected to a satisfaction survey to assess their objective impression of the activity. For evaluation, students presented a technical report of laboratory experience and experimental results with the corresponding treatment for extracting conclusions, and they had to pass a written exam in the regular period of ordinary exams.

Results: Good results were found for the two studied experiences. The evaluation in WooClap serves as an initial indicator of autonomous knowledge. The pre-test and the laboratory notebook were evaluated together. For example, in the case of “Pharmaceutical Physiochemistry” of the degree of Pharmacy, students obtained an average grade of 7.91 with Flipped Laboratory, a significant improvement compared to the previous year (7.21) with conventional methodology. In the written exam, the average grade was 8.71, also a considerable improvement compared to the previous year (6.51).

References: [1] L. Abeysekera et al., Higher Educ. Res. Dev. 34, 1-14, 2015. [2] J. M. Campillo-Ferrer et al., Humanit. Soc. Sci. Commun. 8, 176, 2021. [3] A. Arencibia et al., Laboratorio de Química Física. Editorial Universitaria Ramón Areces, 2005. Keywords: Practical methods for teaching science, flipped learning, Physical Chemistry learning, laboratory.