~Week 6-Micro Computer Based Laboratory(MBL)

This week, we were taken to a High-tech lab known as Micro -Computer Based Laboratory (MBL). What is MBL? MBL is one of the strategies in the Designing Application Tools. I was almost lost in the lesson because I have never experience it before in my entire life. My group members and I have chosen to do an activity from the topic Electricity. We use the Voltage Current Sensor in order to conduct the experiment.

First of all, as a team we discussed about the steps. I realized that it is good to plan before engaging in the experiments. There are a few steps that we followed while we conducting the experiment. The details are in below:

Voltage Current Sensor
1. The sensor is being plugged in to the computer.
2. EZscreen or DataStudio is selected from the window or programme files.
3. The voltage leads is being connected to one battery. The red lead is connected to the

positive of the battery while the black lead to the negative.
4. Choose “Table” from the list of items in Datastudio.
5. Click “Start”
6. The voltage and ampere of the battery is displayed on the screen.
7. The data is being recorded on a piece of paper.
8. Step 3 to 7 is being repeated with 2 and then 3 batteries.

I realized that it was very user friendly, practical and it gives us a meaningful experience engaging myself with the tools.

‘Is this MBL is suitable to be used in Primary Science classroom’, I thought in my mind. Personally, I think that it is suitable to be used only for Level 2 students and more appropriate to be used in secondary schools due to some pros and cons.There are some pros and cons using this MBL.

Firstly, it is user-friendly and safe to use especially when an experiment requires dangerous substance like acids and bases. The data collected is very fast and accurate. In addition, the data can also be converted into graph and table by clicking. As a result, I believed that this is very convenient for students to see the whole picture and concept of an experiment fast.

However, the teacher needs to be well-trained so that each function of DataStudio can be used to the fullest. Besides that, this strategy also cannot be used for all experiments. Moreover, basic process skills cannot be integrated or acquired as students will not get the chance to learn how to use certain basic apparatus like thermometer and ammeter. As a result, they will be failed to acquire science process skills.

There are a few advantages and disadvantages that my group and I have discovered.

ADVANTAGES

User friendly
Uses computer solely.
Manipulative skills can be acquired.
Data achieve is very precise.
Saves time in collecting and tabulating the data.

DISADVANTAGES

If there is no electricity it cannot be used anymore

Students cannot acquire science process skills. This is because all the data are ready and students do not need to measure.

It can only engage with some lab apparatus such as battery, bulb and beakers.

The cost is also very high. Not all the students can have their own unit of Voltage Current Sensor and use it simultaneously.

In brief, this was a totally new experience for us to use this MBL and we really wish to use in school once a week and not all the time so that it will be a exposure and bring a new experience for the students to learn and they still can acquire science process skills too.