The Influence of Laboratory Delivery Method on Learning Outcomes.
Parkland College
lab·o·ra·to·ry: [lab-ruh-tawr-ee, tohr-ee, lab-er-uh-; British luh-bor-uhtuh-ree, -uh-tree]
1. a building, part of a building, or other place
equipped to conduct scientific experiments,
tests, investigations, etc.
 2. any place, situation, set of conditions, or
the like, conducive to experimentation,
investigation, observation, etc.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/laboratory
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The Research
9 Courses
308 Students
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Ast 101 The Solar System
Bio 101 General Biology
Bio 104 Environmental Biology
Bio 186 Heredity and Society
Che 102 General Chemistry II
Che 106,107 Chemistry for the Health Professions
Esc 102 Introduction to Physical Geology
Phy 122 General Physics II
Methodologies

Classroom
 Traditional labs performed in laboratory

Virtual
 Computer simulations/interactive software

Lab Kit
 Portable labs that can be performed outside
traditional laboratory
All Courses (Content Questions) N=49

Traditional Laboratory
 Pre
 Post

SD 35%
SD 30%
56%
69%
SD 31%
SD 29%
55%
62%
SD 31%
SD 33%
Lab Kit
 Pre
 Post

51%
70%
Virtual
 Pre
 Post
Demographic Questions
“How confident are you that you will be successful in the laboratory part of the
course?”
“What is the likelihood you would enroll in a fully online college science class in
which labs would be performed at home or on your computer?”
Pre-Lab
“How engaged or interested in doing this lab are you?”
“How anxious are you about doing this lab?”
Content Questions
Post-Lab
“How confident are you that you completed this lab correctly?”
“Did you feel isolated while you completed this lab activity?
Content Questions
Final Course Survey
“Rank the lab methodologies according to your preference”
“Rank the lab methodologies according to difficulty”
Lab Methodology /
Psychological Constructs
 No
statistically significant effect with
respect to post lab student
satisfaction
 There were statistically significant
effects for post lab self-efficacy, post
lab teacher immediacy, and time on
task.
Lab Methodology /
Psychological Constructs
 Self-efficacy,
teacher immediacy
 Classroom vs. Virtual/Lab Kit
 Time on task
 Lab Kit vs. Classroom
Final Thoughts
The laboratories of the 21st Century
can be more diverse and accessible
than ever before.
 We must prepare students to learn in
new environments and in new ways.
 Good methodologies and student
engagement are just as important as
equipment and buildings.
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