Virtual Labs for Biology: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Case Study Insights
Explore the world of virtual labs in biology through an in-depth analysis of their advantages and disadvantages, accompanied by a compelling case study in GE Biology. Discover the impact on course grades, attitudes, and delivery models based on different lab types.
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Virtual Labs for Biology Bob Desharnais Cal State LA June 22, 2020 Support provided by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the California State University Chancellor s Office
Outline Example of a virtual lab: FlyLab JS Advantages & disadvantages of virtual labs Case study: GE Biology
Example of a Virtual Lab: FlyLab JS ScienceCourseware.org/FlyLabJS
Advantages and Disadvantages of Virtual Labs Advantages Add opportunities for inquiry-based learning Address difficult lab topics (e.g. evolution) Allow students to learn from mistakes Better engage students Improved convenience (e.g. 24/7 access) Disadvantages Doesn t allow for learning lab skills (esp. majors) Oversimplification of reality Group interactions are more difficult
Case Study: GE Biology BIOL 155 Animal Biology Three delivery models Traditional wet labs (8 sect) All online virtual labs & drop-in help (8 sect) Hybrid in-person/online virtual labs (16 sect) Assessment Analysis of course grades Pre/post attitude surveys
Assessment: Course Grades Repeatable Grades Course GPAs 3.4 16% 3.2 14% Repeatable Grades 12% 3.0 Course GPA 10% 2.8 8% 2.6 6% 2.4 4% 2.2 2% 2.0 0% Wet Online Hybrid Wet Online Hybrid Type of Laboratory Type of Laboratory
Assessment: Survey of Attitudes Change in Favorable Attitudes Mean Change in Percent Favorable 8% Responses Towards Biology 6% 4% 2% 0% -2% -4% Wet Virtual Hybrid Type of Laboratory
PL (n=92) VL-A (n=95) VL-H (n=156) Wet Online Hybrid Category Overall Problem-solving difficulty Problem-solving effort Problem-solving strategies Conceptual connections Real world connections Reasoning Enjoyment -0.26% 1.99% -1.22% 1.55% +4.57% 1.36% -0.02% 2.69% +0.74% 2.97% +4.28% 2.14% +0.08% 2.38% +1.32% 2.97% +6.97% 2.39% -0.26% 2.38% +4.17% 3.59% +8.39% 2.91% -4.04% 2.58% +1.02% 2.74% +3.21% 2.12% -0.24% 2.62% -2.43% 2.82% +5.25% 2.03% -6.68% 2.80% -4.41% 3.59% +2.44% 2.29% +0.97% 2.15% +1.33% 2.62% +6.30% 1.95% Son, J.Y., Narguizian, P., Beltz, D., and Desharnais, R.A. 2016. Comparing physical, virtual, and hybrid flipped labs for general education biology. Online Learning Journal 20: 228 243.
