Laboratory: Its Scope and Philosophy

Some of the problems, methods, and philosophies of teaching laboratory are reviewed. Laboratory furnishes one channel by which knowledge can be acquired, supplements other teaching methods, and is particularly useful where mathematical descriptions are imperfect. In addition, laboratory deals with precision measurement, data recording, development of mechanical aptitude, and learning of specific techniques. Coordination of laboratory with other work usually follows one of two conflicting principles. A laboratory course may be conducted in a rigid manner or in a highly individualistic, flexible way. Each has its advantages. Laboratory provides good practice for report writing. By requiring at least one formal paper per student on laboratory work performed, a more realistic introduction to report writing is secured than in any other course work.