Learning strategies used by honors students in an investigative introductory biology laboratory program

Abstract

The use of investigative laboratory programs is one of the recommended methods of instruction for improving the outcomes of college science laboratory work. In such programs, students are expected to take more responsibility for their learning and to exercise manipulative skills as well as their thinking. One factor that contributes to students' learning success is their learning strategies.

In order to increase our understanding of students' learning strategies in an investigative laboratory program, a qualitative research design was used in this study. The participants for this study were ten students who were enrolled in Principles of Biology Laboratory Hl15 which used an investigative approach. The primary data were gathered through interviews with the students. Additional data to provide a more holistic description of some aspects of the students' use of learning strategies were obtained from assessment of the students' learning style, a review of course syllabus and handouts, non-participant observations, and interviews with the instructors.