Will the use of conceptual laboratory reports and pre-template laboratory quizzes improve overall student grades?

Abstract

The purpose of study was to determine if overall student success increases by adding a pre-laboratory quiz and assigning conceptual laboratory reports in a college freshman level introductory biology laboratory class. Combined lecture /laboratory grades were analyzed between two groups of students. The study was based on the premise that writing promotes learning thereby increasing students overall success in biology. No strong positive objective outcome was observed although writing skills improved.