Virtual Labs for Postsecondary General Education and Applied Science Courses - Faculty Perceptions - Volume 50 - Winter / Hiver 2024

Oct 15, 2026

General education science courses at a Canadian postsecondary institution implemented Beyond Labz virtual science labs, and faculty teaching vocational science-related courses tested the resource. This qualitative study examines faculty and learner perceptions of efficacy across ease of use, designing hands-on activities, student engagement, and accessibility. Data come from a focus group, surveys, meetings, and interview notes, yielding five themes on supporting diverse learners and leveraging multiple affordances. Findings show different views on skills development and highlight barriers such as digital literacy needs and initial training plus institutional support; recommendations for curriculum integration are provided.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages30

Reading Time1 h 16 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Project components

Beyond Labz virtual science labs

Volume 50 (1) Winter / Hiver 2024 Virtual Labs for Postsecondary General Education and Applied Science Courses: Faculty Perceptions Laboratoires virtuels pour les cours de formation générale postsecondaire et de sciences appliquées : Perceptions des professeurs Elena Chudaeva, George Brown College, Canada Latifa Soliman, University of Toronto, Canada Abstract General education science courses at a Canadian postsecondary institution implemented Beyond Labz virtual science labs. Faculty members teaching vocational science-related courses tested this resource. This qualitative study explores faculty member and learner perceptions ofthe efficacy of these virtual labs in terms of ease of use, designing hands-on activities, student engagement, and accessibility. Data are collected via a focus group, surveys, meetings, and interview notes. The study found that learners and faculty members may have different perceptions ofthe importance of virtual labs for the development of various skills. From the data, five themes emerge related to addressing the needs of diverse learners and utilizing multiple affordances of virtual labs. Although science virtual labs are perceived as a useful tool for teaching and learning science, faculty members identify barriers such asthe need to develop digital literacy skills and initial training and institutional support when introducing new tools. Recommendations for effective science virtual labs curriculum integration are included. Keywords: education technology, faculty member professional development, general education, polytechnic institutions, science virtual labs Résumé Les cours de sciences en éducation générale dans un établissement postsecondaire canadien ont mis en œuvre les laboratoires scientifiques virtuels Beyond Labz. Les membres du corps enseignant dispensant des cours de sciences à vocation professionnelle ont testé cette ressource. Cette étude qualitative explore les perceptions des membres du corps enseignant et des apprenants sur l'efficacité deces laboratoires virtuels en termes de facilité d'utilisation, de conception d'activités pratiques, d'engagement des étudiants et d'accessibilité . Les données sont recueillies par l’entremise d’un groupede discussion, de sondages, de réunions et de notes d'entrevue. L'étude a révélé que les apprenants et les CJLT/RCAT Vol. 50 (1) membres du corps enseignant peuvent avoir des perceptions différentes de l'importance des laboratoires virtuels pour le développement de diverses compétences. À partir des données, cinq thèmes émergent concernant la prise en compte des besoins de divers apprenants et l'utilisation des multiples avantages des laboratoires virtuels. Bien que les laboratoires virtuels de sciences soient perçus comme un outil utile pour l'enseignement et l'apprentissage des sciences, les membres du corps enseignant identifientdes obstacles tels que la nécessité de développer des compétences en littératie numérique, une formation initiale et un soutien institutionnel lors de l'introduction de nouveaux outils. Des recommandations pour une intégration efficace des laboratoires virtuels de sciences dans le programme d'études sont incluses. Mots-clés : développement professionnel des membres du corps enseignant, éducation générale,établissements polytechniques, laboratoires scientifiques virtuels, technologie éducative Introduction When Afton-Dawn Ellison messes up a chemistry experiment, the smoke from the explosion and the shattering glass don’t distress her. She simply clicks her computer mouse a few times and starts over. (Carnevale, 2003) The sudden adjustment to online course delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic may have hada negative and lasting impact on students in postsecondary education in Canada (CDLRA, 2020; OCUFA, 2020) . The overall quality of educational experience and the ability to adequately teach and support students led to a pilot project at an Ontarian polytechnic institution in Winter 2021.

FAQs

What resource did faculty test in the study?

Faculty used Beyond Labz virtual science labs in courses including general education physics and biology, along with exploration by faculty across different programs.

How was the study data collected?

The study collected data through a focus group, surveys, meetings, and interview notes.

What barriers did faculty identify when using virtual science labs?

Faculty identified barriers such as the need to develop digital literacy skills and the importance of initial training and institutional support when introducing new tools.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Rainbow Cat