Predictions

The activity:

Ask the students to predict the outcome of the experiment they are about to perform. As an alternative, you can list the conditions of the experiment and ask them to predict the outcome if one or more of the conditions were changed.

It can be done individually or in groups. Each person can receive an assignment (a particular set of conditions) and be asked to make a prediction. At the end of the lab session, the predictions can be evaluated and revised if appropriate.

Make sure that you provide a safe classroom environment in which a wrong prediction is viewed as an opportunity to learn and foster understanding. Since a prediction involves a personal opinion, all opinions should, be respected and considered valid. Based on the data obtained, the students can generate evaluative statements.

The instructor (or a designated student) can function as a centralized source of information.