Unit 2- Assignment D
How am I doing?
During the course of this year I have learnt and developed a lot of skills and
techniques in the practical laboratory experiments. I have never, before this
year, used a colorimeter machine. Learning this skill proved vital for Unit 2,
assignment A and the colorimetry practical. I don’t think there were many, if any,
in my peer group that had used one before so we were all learning a new skill
together.
I have completed most of the practical experiments before in school but some of
the equipment has been different this year. I have learnt how to use a digital
thermometer and I feel it is much more accurate in experiments. Accuracy is a
skill I have developed throughout all of the practical’s as I have learnt that when
using a bulb pipette, you need to read from where the air bubble line dips which
is not what we did in school. I knew how to do Titration from school but I did not
know how important it was to maintain accuracy and calibrate equipment.
Calibrating equipment for accuracy is something we did in every experiment this
year but did not do in school. Not many of my peers had completed a titration
experiment before so I was more confident building on what I already knew
rather than learning it for the first time.
During Unit 2, assignment B we had to complete heating and cooling
experiments and produce and interpret graphs. I have not had to interpret
graphical data like this before so developing this skill helped in this experiment
and in other units on this course. This also helped in Unit 3 when we did a
circuit’s practical and we had to create and interpret graphs on current and
voltage.
I have never completed a Chromatography experiment before so learning how to
do this using different methods has been a skill I have learnt.
An important skill which I have developed from school is my awareness for
health and safety, this has been fundamental in all units this year. Chemical wise
I have worked with substances that are more dangerous here, in college than I
did in school so being aware of their dangers and safe practice has been
important to learn. Everyone in my group this year developed a good awareness
for health and safety which I felt good about as we were working in the lab
together.
Another skill which I have had to develop across all units is writing analytically
and scientifically. I have had to produce a lot of experiment write ups and using
the correct language is key to explaining them.
Although I am a friendly and sociable person, I have found it difficult working
with others in practical’s and sessions. I worry that I might impact on their
performance and don’t want to affect them so I prefer to work on my own.
However, when I work on my own, I get preoccupied with the experiment and
sometimes neglect to write things down and record all of the results or outcomes
accurately.
In terms of health and safety I always follow instructions and wear appropriate
PPE because I am aware of how important it is to maintain health and safety
standards in a lab. However, I sometimes get distracted or disengaged with
lessons and miss instructions.
How am I doing?
During the course of this year I have learnt and developed a lot of skills and
techniques in the practical laboratory experiments. I have never, before this
year, used a colorimeter machine. Learning this skill proved vital for Unit 2,
assignment A and the colorimetry practical. I don’t think there were many, if any,
in my peer group that had used one before so we were all learning a new skill
together.
I have completed most of the practical experiments before in school but some of
the equipment has been different this year. I have learnt how to use a digital
thermometer and I feel it is much more accurate in experiments. Accuracy is a
skill I have developed throughout all of the practical’s as I have learnt that when
using a bulb pipette, you need to read from where the air bubble line dips which
is not what we did in school. I knew how to do Titration from school but I did not
know how important it was to maintain accuracy and calibrate equipment.
Calibrating equipment for accuracy is something we did in every experiment this
year but did not do in school. Not many of my peers had completed a titration
experiment before so I was more confident building on what I already knew
rather than learning it for the first time.
During Unit 2, assignment B we had to complete heating and cooling
experiments and produce and interpret graphs. I have not had to interpret
graphical data like this before so developing this skill helped in this experiment
and in other units on this course. This also helped in Unit 3 when we did a
circuit’s practical and we had to create and interpret graphs on current and
voltage.
I have never completed a Chromatography experiment before so learning how to
do this using different methods has been a skill I have learnt.
An important skill which I have developed from school is my awareness for
health and safety, this has been fundamental in all units this year. Chemical wise
I have worked with substances that are more dangerous here, in college than I
did in school so being aware of their dangers and safe practice has been
important to learn. Everyone in my group this year developed a good awareness
for health and safety which I felt good about as we were working in the lab
together.
Another skill which I have had to develop across all units is writing analytically
and scientifically. I have had to produce a lot of experiment write ups and using
the correct language is key to explaining them.
Although I am a friendly and sociable person, I have found it difficult working
with others in practical’s and sessions. I worry that I might impact on their
performance and don’t want to affect them so I prefer to work on my own.
However, when I work on my own, I get preoccupied with the experiment and
sometimes neglect to write things down and record all of the results or outcomes
accurately.
In terms of health and safety I always follow instructions and wear appropriate
PPE because I am aware of how important it is to maintain health and safety
standards in a lab. However, I sometimes get distracted or disengaged with
lessons and miss instructions.
