USE OF AUDIO-VISUAL TOOLS AS SUPPORT FOR LEARNING IN LABORATORY SUBJECTS IN THE CHEMISTRY DEGREE: PILOT EXPERIENCE IN THE SUBJECT OF BASIC LABORATORY OPERATIONS
S. Carda-Broch1, J. Peris-Vicente2, M.J. Ruiz-Ángel2, R. Castillo-Solsona1
Basic Laboratory Operations is a practical laboratory subject taught in the second semester of the first year of the Chemistry degree at the Universitat Jaume I. This subject represents the students' first substantial contact with laboratory work in the degree. Consequently, both the content and the structure of the course are crucial, as it establishes the fundamental knowledge, skills, and work habits necessary for subsequent laboratory courses and their eventual professional careers. Correcting poor habits early and reinforcing proper techniques benefits not only the students—by providing a solid training—but also instructors in later courses, who can focus on advancing skills rather than revisiting fundamental operations.
To support this process, incorporating audio-visual tools, such as instructional videos, offers significant advantages. These videos visually demonstrate essential laboratory techniques performed during the sessions, such as pipetting, adjusting volumes, using melting point measurement equipment, or operating a centrifuge, among others. For first-year students, many of whom have little or no prior laboratory experience, these visual aids provide a clear and accessible way to understand and replicate complex procedures. Video tutorials covering sample preparation, solution preparation, and instrument handling can help students develop a better grasp of laboratory practices and reduce initial barriers to learning.
To evaluate the impact of these audio-visual tools on students' learning outcomes, a comparative analysis will be conducted. The grades of students who used these resources will be compared with those of students from previous academic years or groups where the project was not implemented. Additionally, a survey will be distributed to gather student feedback, providing insights into their perceptions and the perceived benefits of this initiative.
Acknowledgement:
This project was supported by the Unitat de Formació i Innovació Educativa (UFIE) at Universitat Jaume I. The authors gratefully acknowledge the collaboration of the students.
Keywords: Chemistry Education, Audio-Visual Tools, Laboratory Training, Learning Improvement, Basic Laboratory Operations.