Preparing Students for Practical Sessions Using Laboratory Simulation Software

Abstract

A series of laboratory themed simulations developed by Learning Science Ltd. were integrated into a first year laboratory module at the University of Leicester. These simulations allow students to attempt the experiments they will do in the laboratory in a risk-free way that provides the opportunity to make mistakes and learn how to correct them using the immediate feedback generated. High student engagement was observed during our pilot, and student end-of-module comments were very positive for this technological enhancement.

Are basic laboratory skills adequately acquired by undergraduate science students? How control quality methodologies applied to laboratory lessons may help us to find the answer

“…Many of these basic operations are routinely performed in the laboratories and some will be critical to the confidence that can be placed in the final result [4]. For these reasons, different studies and organizations have found that mastery of basic laboratory skills is an important goal in the undergraduate curriculum [3,[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. As the American Chemical Society (ACS) stated, lacking basic practical skills reduces opportunities "to develop the plethora of important scientific and transferable skills that a practical chemistry course should provide" [16].…”

An Analysis of Health Science Students’ Preparedness and Perception of Interactive Virtual Laboratory Simulation

“…Hence, students were able to familiarise themselves with the experimental procedures and instruments and gain a better understanding of learning in the virtual environment. This could enhance the experimental efficacy among students about their ability to perform similar experiments in the physical laboratory later because vLAB has prepared the students for the physical laboratory experience, hence reduced their anxiety level, an affective factor that alters self-efficacy negatively [ 24 , 25 ].…”

Scaffolding students’ preparation for a pharmacology practical improves their self-efficacy and learning

“…Educational IT has at several instances been reported to support students learning of scientific concepts (Costabile, 2020) and to support the preparation for laboratory practicals (Blackburn et al, 2019;Dyrberg et al, 2017;Kolil et al, 2020;Makransky et al, 2016;Thisgaard & Makransky, 2017). With the practical already being a computer simulation exercise, it was natural to consider online materials to support the students' learning process.…”