Perspectives on Writing Lab Manuals

 

Elisabeth L. Cantwell, Brian W. Lipscomb, & Laurel L. Rodgers

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2019, Volume 40

Abstract

Writing a lab manual well requires planning, time and follow-through. The best lab manuals are those that enhance students’ lecture experience and, for this reason, making deliberate choices and providing clear learning objectives are imperative. Good planning is obviously necessary, and there are many options available for those who wish to construct their own manual, each with its own pros and cons. We present two differing perspectives on constructing a whole lab manual, as well as an example of a lab exercise written to complement the digestive system lecture in Human Anatomy & Physiology. Participants who would like to write their own manual are encouraged to bring their lab materials with them to this workshop for the discussion. By using participant examples, we will explore the different ways that writing a lab manual can be approached, and we will expand upon the benefits and drawbacks of these differing methods.

Keywords:  digestive systems, lab manual, digestive enzymes, chemical digestion

The Ohio State University (2018)