A Study Of Laboratory Methods Used In Teaching Freshman Biology

The most accepted method of teaching biology is the drawing method where the student is given living or preserved specimens and from these makes certain observations which he represents on paper in the form of drawings . . . This situation brings one the following questions: (1) Must the student make drawings in order to learn? (2) Will he retain his knowledge as readily if he does not represent on paper what he sees with his eyes? (3) Can ready-made drawings be used as a tool for acquiring knowledge just as the other laboratory equipment is used? (4) In using ready-made drawings will the student's power of observation be developed as much as the other types of laboratory procedure used in teaching biology?