Week 6

This week's lesson, prof took us to the science lab on the 1st floor. It is a Lab that it MicroComputer Based. the lesson is a continuity from last week class, where we were introduced to MBL strategy, and this week, we are give the chance to do some hands-on activity using probes to experience MBL's learning itself. My group agreed on testing the "light Sensor" by conducting a simple experiment. The sensor can measure the "illuminance" (The density of light indicated on an area)in units of "lux". my group tried to measure the illuminance of the florescent light in the lab, and the light from a phone camera. The data are attained in the computer which the probe attached to.

There are other probes that our group tested on, they are: temperature sensor, motion sensor, force sensor, magnetic field sensor, barometer sensor, pH sensor and heart rate sensor.

When we are done experimenting with all the probes, we discussed on the use of MBL's in teaching science. Our group thought that the use of MBL is suitable to be carried out in the primary classroom because it is safer, especially when coming to an experiment that requires the mixing of dangerous substances like acids. It also makes things a lot more easier for the teacher as they don't have to look over their shoulder should anything bad to occurs when using real dangerous substances. The probes are also easy for the pupils to use, and they are able to gain the results from the experiment easily. The MBL's also helps the teacher in teaching as in the same way when experimenting by using the traditional methods.

However, I think that the use of MBL is more suitable to a higher level students in the primary school, or even better, the secondary school students as it is more practical for them to use the probes in the experiment. The probes would also cost tens and thousand of ringgit should it to be provided to all the school all over Malaysia.

Should it be provided to rural schools, I think the students there might even have a bigger problem to use it, so, the implementation is very hard.
Besides that, teacher who are involved in the teaching of science using MBL, they need to be well trained, should they encounters any problem during the use MBL in their teaching. Moreover, it's going to take time for the teacher to explain to the pupils on how to use the probes before each lesson and time is lost just for the explaining of the use and answering pupils question should they have a problem using these probes.

The experience of using MBL was very enrinching as I gain valuable experience and these probes might never get through the school system in Malaysia.