ANALISIS MANAJEMEN LABORATORIUM IPA TERHADAP KOMPETENSI PESERTA DIDIK

Natural Sciences learning laboratory activities are an integral part of teaching and learning activities, This shows how important the role of laboratory activities to achieve the goals of science education. Through laboratory activities, students will be given the opportunity to encourage curiosity and the desire to try, test and reason the theories obtained. The purpose of this study was to analyze the management of a science laboratory in SMP Negeri 4 Sojol. The research method uses qualitative methods and descriptive analysis. The research subjects were the head of the laboratory and the science subject teacher and the students at SMP Negeri 4 Sojol. Data collection techniques through observation, interviews and student learning outcomes.  Based on the results of the study, the availability of natural science practicum tools in SMP Negeri 4 Sojol, the average availability of practical tools and materials 68.33% classified as complete categories, the average presentation of the feasibility of practical tools and materials 90.67% included in the excellent category based on the Ministry of Education number 24 of 2007. The effectiveness of practicum implementation in SMP Negeri 4 Sojol is classified as effective category with an average presentation of practicum at 85%. Coupled with an average increase in cognitive competencies average preetest 58 increase in posttest by as much as 87 in addition to the average value of competence in the areas of psychomotor average preetest obtained 60 and posttest 90 showed a significant increase competency knowledge and skills of learners. Success in the cognitive domain will also have a positive impact on the development of the psychomotor domain (skills) of students. Management of laboratory facilities and infrastructure planning in improving the quality of learning in schools must be planned by the head of the laboratory, planning science teachers by preparing learning tools and identifying the subject matter to be practiced in the laboratory, laboratory administration governance supported by good organization from the leadership of policy makers in school. Implementation of laboratory facilities and infrastructure management in improving the quality of learning in schools including procurement, inventory, storage, structuring, use, and maintenance. Supervision carried out by the principal is in accordance with the provisions, to be more efficient the school should make a program or schedule of supervision processes to be more controlled and run well and smoothly.

A Study of Problems and Possibilities of Using an Investigative Approach in Science Teaching

In Pakistani schools, science is taught through the expository method. The practical work is confined to teacher demonstration. Students work towards pre-determined results, following given instructions. This inhibits their thinking and development of scientific skills, such as hypothesising, predicting and concluding. One reason for this is that teachers are not aware of the new approaches to science teaching. The purpose of the study was to explore the problems and possibilities of using an investigative approach at a lower secondary level in one of the Government schools of Karachi. The research was carried out in three stages: pre-intervention, intervention and postintervention. The sample of the study was two teachers and nine students. They were interviewed before and after the introduction of an investigative approach. Participant observations, interviews, reflective journal writing, and photographs were among the techniques used for data collection. Several frameworks for scientific investigation are described in the literature. Evans's(1994) framework of an investigative approach was simplified and adapted to make it applicable in the Pakistani situation. Mentoring was used to provide support and guidance to the teachers in adopting an investigative approach. It was found that while using an investigative approach, students found themselves in the position of scientists which developed their interest and enthusiasm. Practicing problem solving skills helped them to understand the content in a meaningful way and the development of social skills changed the atmosphere of the classroom from a competitive to a cooperative one. The teachers also realized that an investigative approach was of great benefit to the students and proposed that it should be included in the science curriculum. The teachers also benefited from the study. Their questioning skills developed and they learnt to ask more probing questions. Working in pairs promoted collegiality and collaboration. They also found mentoring helpful for their professional development. Problems in introducing an innovation have also been investigated, these including lack of equipment, examination pressure, and short duration of periods.