In this article we summarise over 60 reports and research articles on pre-laboratory activities in higher education chemistry. In the first section of the review, we categorise these activities as follows. First are those intending to introduce chemical concepts, that typically take the form of a pre-laboratory lecture, pre-laboratory quizzes, and pre-laboratory discussion. Second are those intending to introduce laboratory techniques, that typically take the form of interactive simulations, technique videos, mental preparation, and safety information. Finally, a small number of activities intended to prepare students for affective aspects of laboratory work, in the form of enabling confidence and generating motivation are described. In the second section of the review, we consider a framework for design of pre-laboratory activities that aligns with the principles of cognitive load theory. We propose how the two tenets of such a framework – supporting learners in complex scenarios and provision of information necessary to complete tasks – can be considered for the case of preparing for laboratory learning. Of particular relevance is the nature of information provided in advance and that provided just in time, characterised as supportive and procedural information respectively. Finally, in the concluding section, we draw together the principles outlined in the framework and findings from reports of pre-laboratory work in chemistry to propose five guidelines for those wishing to incorporate pre-laboratory activities into their laboratory curriculum; an activity we argue has a significant literature basis for us to encourage.

Laboratory work has been a common element of science courses at university level for around two centuries, but its practice has been criticised by scholars in the field and related stakeholders. Mainly on a rationale of financial justification and educational efficacy, more evidence for learning has been called for. The aims of this systematic review were to characterise learning in the laboratory and substantiate learning outcomes associated with laboratory instructions in university chemistry. Analysis of 355 empirical studies revealed that students develop five clusters of laboratory‐related competences pertaining to experimental competences , disciplinary learning , higher‐order thinking and epistemic learning , transversal competences as well as affective domain . These competences were specified into related constructs measured in the studies. Synthesis of published studies led to a substantiated view on multidimensional learning in the laboratory and its implications for research, practice and theory are suggested. Representations of research areas that deserve appraisals and further investigations are also proposed. The video abstract for this article is available at https://video.ku.dk/secret/76185334/73665cb966315601404b793ffc234a77 . Context and implications: Rationale for this study: To provide comprehensive evidence for learning outcomes associated with laboratory work. Why the new findings matter: Our research synthesis substantiates a multidimensional view of laboratory learning. There is a large scope for empirical and theoretical development in this complex setting. Implications for researchers and practitioners: Future research should be directed towards a more comprehensive and rigorous inquiry into student learning that considers a more holistic view. Focus on higher‐order competences is needed. Practice wise, laboratory curricula should better accommodate students' learning progression throughout their higher education. Assessment and feedback practices should be revisited.

Designing laboratory activities is a real challenge for those working in higher education. There is often an acknowledged frustration with the status quo, but a lack of clear guidance on what strategies might be useful in considering a redesign. This article aims to address the question: what considerations should be taken into account when designing a laboratory activity? To address it, we first describe an overarching framework for laboratory learning, describing it as a complex learning environment. The reason for this is that two clear overarching guidelines emerge – the first is that the laboratory curriculum should be structured so that each new challenge for student is adequately supported by their prior learning so that they can draw on their knowledge to address the new learning situation, and the second is that guidelines for the kinds of preparation for laboratory learning emerge. Based on this framework, we advocate four core principles for laboratory learning that should be considered when designing a laboratory activity regarding the overall purpose, the role of preparation, the teaching of technique, and the consideration of affective dimensions of learning. We illustrate this framework in practice with examples from our own practice, with suggestions on using the literature on laboratory education as a source for curriculum reform within an institution.

Laboratory work is at the core of any chemistry curriculum but literature on the assessment of laboratory skills is scant. In this study we report the use of a peer-observation protocol underpinned by exemplar videos. Students are required to watch exemplar videos for three techniques (titrations, distillations, preparation of standard solutions) in advance of their practical session, and demonstrate the technique to their peer, while being reviewed. For two of the techniques (titrations and distillations), the demonstration was videoed on a mobile phone, which provide evidence that the student has successfully completed the technique. In order to develop digital literacy skills, students are required to upload their videos to a video sharing site for instructor review. The activity facilitated the issuing of digital badges to students who had successfully demonstrated competency. Students’ rating of their knowledge, experience, and confidence of a range of aspects associated with each technique significantly increased as a result of the activity. This work, along with student responses to questions, video access, and observations from implementation are reported in order to demonstrate a novel and useful way to incorporate peer-assessment of laboratory skills into a laboratory programme, as well as the use of digital badges as a means of incorporating and documenting transferable skills on the basis of student generated evidence.

Laboratory work in chemistry has been extensively researched in the last decade but the gap between research and practice is still broad. This Perspective shares 10 guiding principles relating to university laboratory education, drawing on research over the last decade. Written with an audience of practitioners in mind, the Perspective aligns with Hounsell and Hounsell's congruence framework, so that the 10 principles consider all aspects of the laboratory curriculum: design, teaching approaches, and assessment approaches as suggested by Biggs, but additional contextual factors relating to teaching context: backgrounds of students and their support, and overall laboratory organisation and management. After discussing the rationale for each guiding principle, examples of approaches are given from recent literature along with prompts to help enact the guiding principle in practice.

This article seeks to provide researchers and practitioners in laboratory education, particularly those involved in the curriculum design and implementation of teaching laboratories at university level, with a conceptual framework and a working model for an integrated assessment of learning domains, by attending to a more holistic approach to learning in the laboratory. Prevailing learning theories suggest that the triad of cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains should be addressed in order to warrant meaningful learning. In the research tradition of psychology and philosophy of mind, this triad also manifests as a concert of cognitive, conative, and affective domains. The paper argues that at least in the context of chemistry laboratory education, this is insufficient. The social and epistemic domains are often overlooked or dismissed altogether. Research in science studies may provide insight into the urgency and usefulness of integrating these domains into chemistry teaching and learning. Firstly, laboratory work is conceptualised here as an epistemic practice, in which students generate data, propose knowledge derived from the data, evaluate, and legitimise it. Secondly, the operationalisation of the hexad of learning domains is proposed, in terms of curriculum design, instruction, and assessment.