Students' motivation toward laboratory work in physiology teaching.
Niels Bonderup Dohn1, Angela Fago2, Johannes Overgaard2
1Danish School of Education, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; and dohn@edu.au.dk.
Advances in Physiology Education
|July 23, 2016
Summary
Physiology laboratory work significantly boosts student motivation, interest, and self-efficacy. Hands-on experiments enhance learning of complex concepts, underscoring the value of practical approaches in biology education.
Area of Science:
- Physiology Education
- Educational Psychology
Background:
- Laboratory work is central to physiology education.
- Student motivation is crucial for academic success.
- Understanding how laboratory activities impact motivation is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of laboratory work on student motivation in physiology.
- To assess students' interest, effort, and self-efficacy in physiology labs.
Main Methods:
- Administered the Lab Motivation Scale to assess student motivation.
- Assessed student interest, willingness to engage (effort), and confidence (self-efficacy).
- Correlated motivation scores with final exam performance.
Main Results:
- Students reported high levels of interest, effort, and self-efficacy in physiology labs.
- Self-efficacy in laboratory work significantly correlated with academic performance.
- Students found lab work crucial for understanding difficult physiological concepts.
Conclusions:
- Physiology laboratory exercises are highly motivating for biology students.
- Hands-on experiences improve concrete understanding and recall of physiological processes.
- Laboratory work should not be replaced by non-practical methods like simulations.
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