The use of a laboratory approach for teaching engineering students

In this paper, the objective was to investigate the effectiveness of an alternative teaching method – lab-based teaching with a group of sub-degree students. A research experiment was designed, implemented and evaluated. The overall design for this experimental research is based on pretest-posttest model. In the design of this quasiexperiment, much effort was made to reduce the impacts of threats and practical constrains. Details teaching plan and delivery of the teaching are also discussed. At the end of the experiment, all students were examined on the module as part of their final year examination. This is the instrument used to collect students’ attainment. Data analysis was carried out to investigate whether there are aspects of significant difference caused by the effect of the labbased teaching. In conclusion, although there was greater improvement in attainment in the experimental group, it may be due to the initial difference of these two groups. Hence, there is no strong evidence that lab-based teaching is better than conventional teaching for cognitive learning.