Lab-based Learning
Lab-based learning is a practical pedagogical approach set in a laboratory environment. Students carry out practical experiments in order to apply and enhance existing knowledge surrounding a topic whilst also improving skills such as critical thinking, technical writing & collaboration. Lab-based learning appears throughout the STEM disciplines. Lab-based learning can take different forms, for example, the use of traditional lab experiments where students follow a defined set of procedures and a specific outcome is expected by the educator; or as an inquiry lab where students conduct open-ended experiments to make their own contribution to their field of interest; and finally project-based labs in which student undertake a specific project to work on over a period of time (8).