Experimental / Laboratory Method

Laboratory Method

 Laboratory method is a procedure for stimulating the activities of the students and to
encourage them to make discoveries in this method students are required to do some
experiments of carry out certain activities in order to verify the validity of mathematical
generalization, a lawyer statement.
 It is the experimental portion of the inductive method for the practical form of the heuristic
method. Therefore. in this method one proceeds from concrete to abstract.
 It is based on the psychological principles of learning such as 'learning by doing', learning
by observation and so on. laboratory method is quite competent to relate the theoretical
knowledge with the practical base. This approach make the learning process more
interesting, lively and meaningful.
 Procedures

 The teacher clearly States the aim of the practical work or experiment to be carried out by the
students.
 (Example to establish a relation to arrive a generalization or a rule or formula or to verify fact)
 The students are provided with the necessary materials and instruments. (Example: papers,
cardboard, scissor pebbles, beads, gum, instrument box etc.)
 Provide clear instructions as to the procedure of the experiment.
 The students carry out the experiment.
 The teacher provides timely guidance and help.
 The students are required to draw the conclusion as per the aim of the experiment.
 Role of teacher in Experimental Method
 In the experimental method, the role of a teacher is that of a guide.
 She is the facilitator rather than a deliver of knowledge and information.
 She encourages the students to work collectively, and collaboratively.
 She makes it a point that each member of the group contributes something to the completion of
the project.
 She should help the students in developing character and personality by allowing them to accept
responsibility.
 She should provide democratic atmosphere in the class so that the pupils can express themselves
fully without any fear of the teacher.
 She should be active and alert all the time to see that the project is running in its right line.
 She should have thorough knowledge of individual children so as to allot them work accordingly.
 She should motivate and encourage the students throughout the project.
 Role of student’s in Experimental Method

 
 In this method, the students are responsible for their own learning.
 Students need to actively participate throughout the project.
 They are required to explore and experience their environment through their motor skills.
 Hence direct their own learning by their individual interest and experiences.
 They are required to effectively plan and execute the project.
 They are required to cooperate with each other and accept the opinions of each other.
 They need to whole-heartedly complete the project
 They need to take full responsibility of their own learning.
 Merits of laboratory method

 Psychological method
 Follows maxims of teaching
 Scientific method
 Clarity and fixation of knowledge
 Making mathematics useful and practicable
 Development of some good virtues
 Suitable for individuals capacity and ability
 Problem of indiscipline solved
 Development of cooperative feelings and social outcome.
 Demerits of laboratory method

 Partial usability
 Not too useful in mental development
 Too expensive
 Maintenance of the laboratory
 Need of more stuff
 Too much expectation from the people
 Difficult on the part of the teachers
 Wastage of time
 Non availability of appropriate textbooks
 Non practicable in higher classes
 Conclusion

 The limitations and effects of this method may be removed by observing the principles
of integration.
 Laboratory work must get in nourishment from the theoretical knowledge. Integration
of the theory with practice coupled with the use of other suitable method at the demand
of the locations would surely serve the purpose of the laboratory method.