what defines an online lab course?

by Catalina Nikolaus DVM 6 min read

According to Labster, virtual labs "allow students to work through real-life case stories, interact with lab equipment, perform experiments, and learn with theory and quiz questions." Your course may also let you build your own digital models using applications like Sketchfab.Jul 6, 2020

How do online science lab classes work?

Analyze and evaluate authentic, empirical data. Develop approaches for evaluating results and troubleshooting experiments. Until a full, safe return to in-person teaching and learning is possible, there are elements of experiential learning that can be achieved remotely and emphasized in online laboratory courses.

What is Courselab?

Often, online lab tech courses are geared towards those already working in the field who wish to further their careers. The programs are designed to work around your job and build off of prior education and experience. In some cases, you'll need to be employed by an accredited laboratory that can offer you comprehensive lab work.

What can you expect in an online lab?

This basic-level course is designed to enhance laboratory scientists' ability to identify how personal protective equipment (PPE) can help reduce the risk of exposure to hazardous materials, prevent transmission of infectious agents, and demonstrate how to don and doff PPE in the correct order to minimize contamination and potential exposures.

Can you take lab tech courses online?

A lab course is a smaller, individual course component that supplements larger lectures. Labs allow for hands-on, practical exposure to subject matter. For instance, a biology lab may require students to dissect a frog and record the results in a journal. A lab course allows for in-depth observation, participation, experimentation or practice. Often, the instructors who teach …

What defines a lab course?

A lab course is a smaller, individual course component that supplements larger lectures. Labs allow for hands-on, practical exposure to subject matter. For instance, a biology lab may require students to dissect a frog and record the results in a journal.

Can labs be taught online?

Science labs at the undergraduate level can be taught effectively online, however, with some modifications -- and some of these modifications may be valuable even after academic life returns to normal.Apr 8, 2020

What is the difference between labs and lectures?

The lecture format can be viewed as a more traditional and somewhat passive way in which to impart knowledge to students. Laboratories, in contrast, are much more active, as students must engage the material to successfully conduct an experiment.

Are online labs easier?

Students may view online labs as easier, as they do not have to physically attend class, while other students may believe it is harder, as work has to be done more individually and without physically getting to experience the concepts.Jan 26, 2021

Can I have a lab at home?

If you really enjoy doing chemistry experiments, it might be a good idea to build your own lab at home. It is essential that you do everything safely and obtain chemical supplies in an appropriate way. There are a lot of factors that go into choosing the correct space and deciding what instruments you will need.

What are the benefits of virtual lab?

Benefits of using virtual labs in K-12 educationTop-notch equipment. ... Serves as a visual aid to teach complex concepts. ... Ensures student safety. ... Engages learners. ... Offers instant feedback. ... Allows learning flexibility. ... Affordable alternative to physical labs.Jun 1, 2021

What is the easiest lab science to take in college?

The 4 Easiest Science Classes to Take in CollegeGeology. Geology is widely regarded as one of the easiest science classes you could take in college. ... Physics. Physics is a fascinating field, and taking a course in it will vastly improve your understanding of the world around us. ... Astronomy. ... Zoology.Mar 21, 2022

DO labs count as courses?

Not all science classes have labs; some are just lecture courses. Usually lab classes are scheduled at a separate time from the lecture period. During lab courses, students get a hands-on experience of the subject being taught during the lecture. College labs are most often attached to science and pre-med classes.Sep 27, 2021

Why are science labs so long?

Science labs involve a lot of waiting. So even if the lab on paper lasts, say, 3 hours, in reality it involves only 2 hours of actual work, and 1 hour of waiting for the experiment to run. The more advanced the labs, the more time is spent waiting, too.Aug 1, 2014

What is in a lab kit?

The kits include the lab components each experiment will require, such as test tubes and graduated cylinders, microscopes, balances, atom and cell models, and even a few chemicals that were approved by the Tennessee Department of Transportation to ship to each student.Jun 1, 2020

What do you do in a biology lab?

General Biology LabApply the scientific method, including drawing testable hypotheses from observations and data.Examine abiotic influences on enzymatic activity.Examine cellular respiration, photosynthesis, mitosis, and meiosis.Predict patterns of inheritance according to Mendelian genetics.More items...

What do you do in a science lab?

You'll be involved in a variety of laboratory-based investigations within biological, chemical, physical and life science areas. This can include sampling, testing, measuring, recording and analysing results as part of a scientific team.

What is a science lab kit?

A lab kit gives you all the necessary equipment to conduct experiments at home.

How much does a lab kit cost?

The cost of a starter lab kit ranges from $30 to more than $200. These costs vary by company, with starter kits ranging from approximately $30 to more than $200.

What is simulation in science?

In the context of an online science lab, simulations are digital presentations used to show you how something works. Examples of simulations include demonstrating a law of physics, illustrating a chemical reaction, or exploring the effects of gravity. Simulations typically use graphics and animations to present specific topics.

What are some examples of virtual labs?

Labster, Visible Body, and CloudLabs are three examples of virtual lab tools focused on science and math topics. According to Labster, virtual labs "allow students to work through real-life case stories, interact with lab equipment, perform experiments, and learn with theory and quiz questions.".

What Kind of Courses Will I Take?

If you enroll in a bachelor's degree program in clinical laboratory science, you'll learn about laboratory procedures, research methods and statistical theories. Medical lab tech programs introduce you to the medical laboratory and teach you about medical terminology. You may take some or all of the following courses:

How Do the Courses Work?

You'll access online classroom platforms and interact with your instructors and classmates via the Internet. Readings and lectures are transmitted online, though you may have to purchase books and specific software. Typically, you won't be able to complete your lab work online.

What Level of Online Lab Tech Courses are Available?

Courses at the bachelor's degree level can be put toward an online bachelor's degree in clinical laboratory science, which prepares you to become a clinical lab technologist. Online courses are also available for aspiring medical lab techs seeking an associate degree.

Popular Schools

Columbia Southern University responds quickly to information requests through this website.

What is online science lab?

An online science laboratory is just what it sounds, a laboratory that takes place remotely at home, online via computerized robotics, or virtually through simulations or software. They have the same learning outcomes as the traditional laboratory, but the focus and the structure of the online laboratory may make more use ...

What is engagement in learning?

Engagement: Use tools to engage learners such as relevant topics, providing opportunities to link theory with practice, thereby challenging and strengthening students’ understanding. Identify tools, techniques and skills students will be using or developing.

What is the common mistake in learning?

A common mistake is to assume that what a student does face-to-face is what they must do online. This is usually related to having poorly developed or absent learning objectives. Another mistake is to assume that only sophisticated technology or software is needed for a successful learning experience.

What is BSC in virtual lab?

This course enables learners to apply knowledge and practice setting up a biological safety cabinet (BSC) in a virtual laboratory. Future updates to this course will allow learners to go beyond setup to practice additional skills. Step into a virtual laboratory and learn how to work safely in the first-ever Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) virtual reality (VR) laboratory training course.

Why is safety important in a laboratory?

Safety is imperative when working with potentially harmful materials and other hazards in the laboratory. This course is designed to assist clinical and public health laboratory professionals with applying risk management strategies to identify hazards, assess risks, and select appropriate personal protective equipment options.

What is LIMS in eLearning?

This basic-level eLearning course provides an overview of the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) – also known as a Laboratory Information System – and other information systems that play a key role in laboratory informatics.

DEFINITION

Virtual training labs are cloud-based training environments that emphasize an online, hands-on learning experience over a passive classroom-based one. A relatively recent innovation, virtual training platforms have become increasingly popular in the tech industry to train both employees and clients on the complexities of new software.

What Are Virtual Training Labs Benefits?

Virtual training tools offer a variety of benefits that make them an attractive choice for customer training and software demonstrations:

The Advantage of Virtual Training Labs Over Traditional Classrooms

Interactive and immersive learning through virtual training is replacing the passive learning style of traditional classrooms and training environments for several reasons, including:

Why Virtual Labs Are More Efficient

The tech industry often trains its clients on how to use new software through virtual means since learning retention is consistently higher. Virtual training tools encourage the following:

What is seat time?

The “seat time” measure on which common understanding of a “credit hour” is largely based, is being challenged as new instructional models and alternatives to traditional classroom lectures become more widely accepted.

Do students live on campus?

Many students live on campus for the duration of their studies; others live near campus and commute to campus to take classes and to receive campus-based support services. This physical connection has defined the relationship between the student and the institution. It has also helped to shape the curriculum itself.

What is online delivery?

Online delivery replaces all but a few required faceto-face sessions. While this category of course may commonly be called an “online” course, the distinction is important because the inclusion of face-to-face work sets some geographic limitations on student access to the course.

Do online classes improve commuting?

As a result, online elements do not significantly improve access to commuting or distant students.

What is an online course?

6. Online Course – All course activity is done online; there are no required face-to-face sessions within the course and no requirements for on-campus activity. Purely online courses totally eliminate geography as a factor in the relationship between the student and the institution.

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What Is An Online Science Laboratory?

  • An online science laboratory is just what it sounds, a laboratory that takes place remotely at home, online via computerized robotics, or virtually through simulations or software. They have the same learning outcomes as the traditional laboratory, but the focus and the structure of the online laboratory may make more use of and implement greater reliance on online content, at-ho…
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Introduction

  • An online science laboratory may be offered in response to the increasing interest students have in pursuing their education in an online environment, or because of programmatic or institutional goals or guidelines. Although offering a science laboratory course online may seem like an unachievable task, many schools, such as University of Oregon and Arizona State University, hav…
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Implementation

  1. Determine your learning objectives for the science laboratory. Seek to fulfill the 3E model proposed by Mary Mawn (in Kennepohl, 2016): Expectations, Experimentation, and Engagement.
  2. Identify tools, techniques and skills students will be using or developing. Explore options by seeking and testing various pedagogical approaches, such as 3D models, computer simulati…
  1. Determine your learning objectives for the science laboratory. Seek to fulfill the 3E model proposed by Mary Mawn (in Kennepohl, 2016): Expectations, Experimentation, and Engagement.
  2. Identify tools, techniques and skills students will be using or developing. Explore options by seeking and testing various pedagogical approaches, such as 3D models, computer simulations, specializ...
  3. Discuss your plan with other faculty and with instructional designers/educational technologists at your institution. Here at Kent State University, seek input from the Office of Continuing and Dist...
  4. Do a test run of the laboratory yourself and ask other faculty or student volunteers to evaluat…

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who can offer an online science laboratory? 1. The answer to this question depends on the discipline. Speak first with your department chair or college dean to inquire about Ohio Board of Education mandates and other guidelines adopted by KSU and other Ohio public institutions. What laboratories can be offered online? 1. It is recommended that teachers first determine their prim…
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Other Resources

  • At Kent State University KSU Office of Continuing and Distance Education; https://www.kent.edu/cde KSU Center for Teaching and Learning; https://www.kent.edu/ctl Other online resources North American Network of Science Labs Online (NANSLO); https://www.wiche.edu/nanslo The Open Science Laboratory; http://www.open.ac.uk/researchpr…
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References

  • Kennepohl, D. K. (2016). Teaching science online: practical guidance for effective instruction and lab work. Sterling, Virginia: Stylus Publishing, 2016. Citethis resource:Taylor, E. (2018). Online Science Labs. Kent State University Center for Teaching and Learning. Retrieved [today's date] from [insert URL].
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