Lead Department
Physical Sciences
Coordinated by
Dr Catherine Frehill (Catherine.Frehill@mtu.ie)
Active Members
5
Purpose
The aim of this learning community is to improve the first-year physics laboratory programme by:
- Ensuring alignment between foundation lab skills and programme learning outcomes.
- Reviewing learning objectives for each lab, focusing on skills development, data analysis, and report writing.
- Researching best practices for laboratory feedback, particularly for large groups (>190 students).
- Developing standardised feedback methods to ensure consistency across multiple groups, such as video feedback.
- Exploring national and international advancements in physical laboratory programme development.
Summary
- Weekly Semester 2 meetings to develop an at-home laboratory programme for PHYS6044.
- Fortnightly Semester 1 meetings to refine lab structures and assess student skills.
- Creation of a model mapping required vs. obtained student skills for each lab.
- Skillset reviews for lecturers, covering areas such as Excel, lab design, and media methods.
- Weekly Semester 2 reviews to address implementation issues, feedback, and necessary adjustments.
