A Workshop on Enhancing Chemistry Teachers’ Practical Skills Using Laboratory Instruments

Abstract

Educational transformation in the era of the 4.0 industrial revolution requires teachers, especially chemistry teachers, to have laboratory skills relevant to the development of modern instrument. However, observation of MGMP Chemistry teachers in Sidoarjo Regency show that their practical skills are still limited, especially in the use of modern analytical instruments, due to a lack of facilities, a lack of hands on training, and the dominance of online training in the use of spectrophotometer and calorimeters. The implementation method included the stages of needs analysis, module and demonstration video design, product development through expert validation, workshop implementation at the Central Laboratory and Chemistry Laboratory of the faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, State University of Malang and feedback based evaluation of participants. The training results showed that more than 70% of participants experienced a significant increase in their instrument usage skills, while the other 30% reported a fairly good improvement. The participants response was very positive, with appreciation for the hands-on experience, introduction to modern instruments, and motivation to integrate practical work into chemistry learning in schools. This activity proved to be effective in strengthening the professional competence of chemistry teachers acquired technical skills in operating instrument, colleting data, and analyzing experimental results, as well as methodological understanding in integrating modern practicums into chemistry  learning in schools. Thus, this program contributed significantly to improving the quality of contextual, interactive, and practice-based chemistry learning in line with the demands of the digital era.