Bottom-up implementation of learning goals in physics lab courses by a hands-on didactic training of instructors

Abstract Despite empirical evidence of the effectiveness of competence-based physics lab courses, these courses frequently still follow historically established structures due to a lack of human and financial resources for didactic adjustments. The quality of the lab course is also inextricably linked to the quality of supervision, which becomes all the more important when structural changes do not appear possible. However, it is common for the instructors themselves to be students who are gaining their first teaching experience in the lab course. Dedicated training concepts are required to ensure high teaching quality, develop a common understanding of lab course instruction, and enable appropriate competence development for instructors. This contribution presents the didactic concept of a hands-on didactic workshop for instructors and the experience gained over the years. An integral feature is the development of learning goals for the experiments by the instructors themselves and the alignment of their responsibilities with these goals. The workshop represents a resource-saving approach to promoting the teaching quality, establishing learning goals for the lab course experiments in a bottom-up way, and strengthening a collaborative teaching environment by bringing together experienced instructors and newcomers. Accordingly, the workshop empowers instructors to improve the quality of physics lab courses.