Resumen de Improving the Quality of Lab Reports by Using Them as Lab Instructions

Claudia Haagen-Schuetzenhoefer

• Lab exercises are quite popular in teaching science. Teachers have numerous goals in mind when teaching science laboratories. Nevertheless, empirical research draws a heterogeneous picture of the benefits of lab work. Research has shown that it does not necessarily contribute to the enhancement of practical abilities or content knowledge.1 Lab activities are frequently based on recipe-like, step-by-step instructions (�cookbook style�), which do not motivate students to engage cognitively. Consequently, students put the emphasis on �task completion� or �manipulating equipment.�2