Have you had to move a lab from an in-person class to online? Labs can be a challenge when designing a course for an online or hybrid learning environment. Professors and instructional designers know students want active learning projects. Virtual labs that can integrate with LMSs are a popular solution. Learn more about the benefits of virtual labs and provide tips on how to convert in-person labs to virtual labs for an online classroom.
Benefits of Virtual Labs
Virtual labs allow students to perform experiments and interact with simulated environments from the comfort of their location. They provide several benefits, including:
Accessibility: Virtual labs can be accessed from anywhere, at any time. This allows students who may not have been able to attend in-person labs due to distance or scheduling conflicts to participate.
Safety: Certain experiments can be dangerous or require specialized equipment. Virtual labs provide a safe alternative to ensure that students can learn without putting themselves or others at risk.
Cost-effectiveness: Virtual labs eliminate the need for expensive equipment, supplies, and materials, making them a more cost-effective solution.
Tips for Converting In-Person Labs to Virtual Labs
Choose the Right Software: When selecting software for virtual labs, make sure it has all the features you need to provide a comprehensive lab experience. Some popular options include Labster, BioDigital, and Smart Sparrow. Check with the LMS manager and instructional design team to ensure the lab integrates with the institution’s programs and policies. Also, be sure it’s accessible to all students.
Create Engaging Activities: Labs outside of the classroom can be just as engaging as in-person labs if they are well-designed. You don’t always need a virtual tool. For example, create instructions for an at-home or at-work lab. Students video themselves performing the lab and upload to the discussion board to share with classmates.
Incorporate Interactive Elements: One of the benefits of virtual labs is the ability to add interactive elements that would not be possible in an in-person lab. For example, you could add a video quiz that tests students’ knowledge of the lab material using a tool such as Yuja, VoiceThread, or EdPuzzle.
Examples of Virtual Labs
Here are a few examples of virtual labs that can help inspire you as you develop your own:
The University of Colorado Boulder has an extensive collection of virtual labs covering topics ranging from biology to physics.
The Virtual Courseware Project offers a wide range of interactive simulations that allow students to perform experiments and explore concepts in subjects like biology, chemistry, and physics.
Labster offers a range of virtual labs that are designed to mimic real-world labs and provide students with a comprehensive lab experience.
Carolina Labs sell distance learning kits designed for college-level science experiments.
Virtual labs are a great way to provide students with a comprehensive lab experience in an online classroom. By choosing the right software, creating engaging activities, and incorporating interactive elements, professors can successfully convert their in-person labs to virtual labs. With the examples provided and the right tools, online professors can create an effective virtual lab experience for their students.
Other Lab Resources:
CDC Lab Training Training for biosafety cabinet setup in a virtual laboratory.
Immersive Labs Cybersecurity training strategies capable of increasing and measuring cyber acumen across the workforce.
TryHackMe Cyber security training to attack and defend computer networks similar to those used by various organizations today.
CISA Cybersecurity Training & Exercises Trainings for beginner and intermediate cyber professionals encompassing basic cybersecurity awareness and best practices for organizations and hands-on cyber range training courses for incident response.
TEDD Learning Labs Learning Lab handouts, Designing Learning Labs Guide, and Setting Norms for Collaborative Work.
Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching Safety resources and regulations for teaching laboratories.
Dartmouth Teach Remotely Remote lab activities and experiences, including free online resources such as PhET Interactive Simulations for Science and Math.
ASM Virtual Resources to Teach Microbiology Techniques and Experiments A curated collection of resources that may be helpful to microbiology educators.
Shadow Health Virtual clinical simulations, which include Digital Clinical Experiences™ (DCEs) and Virtual Clinicals™.
Nursing Education Expert Nursing lab simulations, including Shadow Health, ATI Nursing Education, and Laerdal Medical.
Laerdal Medical Nursing simulation solutions which include SimMan® 3G, SimBaby™, and SimNewB™.
RSI.edu 7 free online learning resources for HVAC students, including StudyStack HVAC Flashcards, HVAC Talk Forum, Test.com EPA Practice Tests, NATE Certification Guides, Danfoss Free Cooling Courses, iKnow.com Continuing Professional Development Courses, and Zoom Study Groups.
BuildOps A list of HVAC Training Solutions, including HVAC boot camps and more advanced topics.
eVoc Learning Free HVAC course online which includes an electronic version of the free HVAC lesson, online videos, flashcards, and eVoc’s online grading center.
ATP Learning HVAC and Refrigeration Systems Online Instructor Resources, which include blended learning tools that can be tailored to meet various course formats, includings detailed instructional plans, objective-based PowerPoint presentations, and assessments (test banks).
Greenheck Online training with fan-related topics such as fundamentals, coatings, accessories, and motors.
Angela