The revolution

Dear reader,

My mentor asked me to write a reflection about the Science (Chemistry) laboratory session that happened on Tuesday, 21 January 2014. I guess I could break it down into sections, discussing both pros and cons of my teaching style. Perhaps as one of my colleagues suggested, I could write in point-form. However, this is my blog and I want to write into continuous prose. If there is one thing I learnt in university, I am able to write eloquently, engagingly and enthusiastically. So let us begin:

Before the science practical began, I lined the students up just outside the laboratory. I thanked them for coming early-- last year, they used to come up to 15 minutes late for such sessions. Despite having a Physical Education (PE) session earlier, they made a great effort to arrive 5 minutes after the bell rang. I was sincerely impressed.

After briefing them on the practical and initiating a rousing "Yes!" chant (popularised by the professional wrestler Daniel Bryan), I kicked off the practical with a novice mistake -- I forgot to inform them on their ration of chemicals. Nevertheless, the more well-mannered students reminded me on this issue.

Despite a majority of them failing to evolve oxygen in the first test and a two accident breakages of test-tubes, I felt that the practical went moderately well. Even the more reserved students were in the spirit of carrying out the experiments.

Upon recollection, I realised that I managed to only check on a handful of students if they actually understood the nature of the experiments. This was something I struggled for majority of my laboratory sessions last year, and this flaw continued for this one.

To sum up the session, I thanked the students, especially highlighting their efforts for arriving on time and carrying out the practical enthusiastically.