Evaluation of a practical component of the biology course of the Basic University Science Course Experimental Project at Universidade Eduardo Mondlane in Maputo

[摘要] The purpose of this study was to determine whether the goals of the practical componentof the cytology section of the biology course at Basic University Science CourseExperimental Project (BUSCEP) at Universidade Eduardo Mondlane in Maputo werebeing achieved. Two kinds of instruments were used in this study. They were (i) a writtenpractical test and (ii) an observation schedule (checklist I and II). A total of 41 first yearbiology students of the BeSCEP course were involved in the study. The written practicaltest determined whether the students had mastered the knowledge of the parts of themicroscope and their functions and whether they had understood how to use themicroscope. Checklist I tested whether the students had mastered the physical skillsnecessary to operate a light microscope correctly. Checklist II tested whether the studentshad mastered the skills needed to prepare a wet mount slide.The results revealed that the goals of the practical component of the cytology section ofthe biology course at BUSCEP were not achieved. This was because most students haveproblems in understanding how to use the microscope as well as in mastering the logicalsequence of the skills needed for effective use of the microscope. It is imperative thatteachers find and use effective ways of assessing laboratory activities and skills duringpracticals, as this will contribute to the improvement of the BUSCEP biology course.

[发布机构] University of the Witwatersrand