Ok, so I just wanted to update you all real quick since I've devoted from now until 10pm my quick brain-drain/food time... class didn't get out until 8 since we were reviewing for the final.
Anyway, not the purpose of this post!
I volunteered to do an interview for the Chemistry Department regarding the labs... I guess they've changed a few tactics and like to get feedback (hey, I appreciate that!). So basically the gist of this interview ended up taking 30 minutes. While I was trying to explain some significant differences between the labs I had at HCC and the one encountered this semester (and many more to come) at USF, I had a pretty kickass realization... okay maybe not realization but a way to express a way I felt that I had a hard time explaining.
Because I only have eight minutes to spit this out (geezus are finals OVER YET?!) basically the biggest difference between the two labs were instructions being provided along with materials that are EXACTLY what you need (meaning, solutions are already mixed in the proportions you need)... HCC's lab book was all instructions. USF's lab "manual" is a book of blank grid paper and carbon sheets. At USF, instructions aren't given to you... they don't tell you how to perform your experiment or reach your objective; if you need help, your TA and lab group are there to collaborate with, definitely! But basically a Project write-up goes something like, "Dr. X here at USF is doing blah blah research to determine blah blah blah. The significance of blah results in blah because of blah. What you're doing: take x and figure out y. Have fun."
Ok, keep it moving.. 4 minutes.... I ended up explaining how I absolutely loved my chem lab this semester at USF strictly because there were no instructions... I kept saying, "don't get me wrong it really sucked at first!" and he asked me when that change of thought was made since they are pretty polarized statements. I responded with, "because students are able to be as precise and accurate as they want to be." Later asked something like, "what can the lab do to engage students more to reach their goals?" ... I had to think for a sec and I basically explained that the lab can't make students reach their goals, they have to WANT to get there. If they don't have the drive to do the work and research to maintain the integrity of their experiment, then they're probably taking the class because they thought it would be fun or have no serious interests in future lab work.
Crap, one minute!
Ok if grammar or something didn't make sense, sorry. I have my chem lecture final (comprehensive) tomorrow at 2pm and I JUST got home from class already.. got lots to do..
Eek, time's up!!!
See you on the other side <3
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