New lab policies are ill-advised
Sara L. Thompson and Ed Groschwitz
Commentary
Science professors at Palomar College are concerned that the administration and board are changing policies in a way that could hurt student learning.
The board plans to increase the work load of full-time science faculty who teach laboratories, and pay less for laboratory hours than for lectures. The parity of one lecture hour to one laboratory hour was achieved in 1980. The college recognized then the close working relationship between students and lab instructors.
The board must believe that faculty members contribute less time and energy to their students during laboratory hours than during lectures. This could not be farther from the truth. It is in labs that students spend the best quality time of their learning day. It takes a lot of energy, patience, preparation and organization to make sure the lab experience is organized, engaging, safe and relevant to the curriculum.
Laboratory hours require as much effort as teaching a lecture for a number for reasons.
Student and staff safety: Over the past 20 years there have been increased responsibilities and concerns for student laboratory safety: awareness of hazardous chemicals, proper disposal of hazardous wastes, diligence in keeping students from being exposed to dangerous Substances. And precautions are needed in the treatment of injuries in which pathogens could be passed from student to student.
Evaluation of student work: Instructors spend hours of additional time reading and grading the reports and exams students submit in lab.
Laboratory technology: Developments in laboratory computer-assisted education require that instructors keep up with technology and teach students to operate computers and other lab equipment.
Physical endurance: Some laboratories, especially those conducted in the field, are physically as well as mentally challenging.
The National Science Foundation biennial report on the state of scientific understanding in April this year indicated that 70 percent of Americans do not understand the scientific process. To devalue the core of what science is, what science education should be, and the value of the science educator, at a time when science literacy is so low, is simply ludicrous.
Ultimately, it is our students, the future doctors, nurses, engineers and scientists of our county, who stand to lose the most from this proposal. We therefore ask the support of the communities Palomar College serves. Let our governing board and administration know that our educational process must not be determined by anything except what is best for students. You can contact them at the board office: (760) 744-1150, ext. 2104
Sara L. Thompson is chair of Palomar College's Life Sciences Department. Ed Groschwitz is chairman of the Chemistry Department. This letter is endorsed by faculty members David Boyajian, Kristeen Fukunaga Natarajan Geetha, Steven Spear, Doug Key, Al Trujillo, Patricia Deen, Kathleen Clyne, Dan Finkenthal, Takashi Nakajima, Gary Alderson, Wayne Armstrong, Carey Carpenter, Bob Ebert, Ralph Ferges, Candi Francis, Maura Gage, Ruben Murcia, Beth Pearson-Lowe, Dan Sourbeer and Andrea Taupier.
|