Connect® Virtual Labs is a second-generation, fully online lab solution that can be used as a lab replacement, preparation, supplement, or make-up lab. These labs can also be used as a learning activity that bridges the gap between lab and lecture. These simulations help a student learn the practical and conceptual skills needed, then check for understanding and provide feedback. With adaptive pre-lab and post-lab assessments available, instructors can customize each assignment.

Here are some ideas for how to implement the Connect Virtual Labs in your course.

Virtual Labs as a Lab Replacement

Online teaching is becoming even more commonplace. By having a pre-lab assignment, virtual “hands-on” simulation, and a post-lab assignment, you’re able to teach and assess each student’s learning and take the place of lab time. Each simulation takes approximately 15-20 minutes, so students are consistently engaged and with the pre-and post-assignments, can be used as the full replacement online.

Learn from an instructor how to provide a complete lab experience online here.

Virtual Labs for Lab Preparation

Do you have students that aren’t confident walking into a laboratory setting? We have heard you talk about the challenge of students being underprepared for lectures and labs. By having students do the simulations prior to face-to-face lab time, they are better able to understand what lab equipment they will be using and what to expect from the lab activity. This can also save lab resources! By having students first complete the experiment virtually, there’s a better chance they will not waste lab resources.

Take it a step further and assign the simulation as a lab entrance ticket! How about using the simulation as a quick way to make students responsible for doing some pre-lab work? Tell them to do a specific lab simulation. Then, after completed, print a pdf (the document will be timestamped with their name and time) that becomes the student’s lab “Entrance Ticket”. This idea requires very little time investment from the instructor.

Click here to learn how one instructor uses Virtual Labs as a Pre-wet-lab preparation.

Virtual Labs in Lecture

To bridge the gap between lab and lecture, these simulations can be used as an active learning activity. Because Virtual Labs works on mobile-friendly browsers and was designed for screens the size of a small tablet it is a digital tool that can be used easily during lecture time. Instructors can have students get in pairs or small groups to work these simulations together. This is a great opportunity for students to collaborate and discuss the process and outcomes of the simulation. Another idea is for you the instructor to have students verbally guide you through the simulation to increase student engagement and interaction in your lecture.

Perhaps you covered a specific topic in lab weeks prior but are just now getting to that topic in the lecture, or it will be a week or two before students cover this concept in lab? This is a perfect opportunity to integrate these concepts into your lecture section by assigning a simulation to reinforce and review, or preview, these concepts.

See how Richard Pirkle, A&P Instructor at Tennessee Tech University, makes connections between lecture and lab using Virtual Labs.

Virtual Labs as a Supplement

If you are unable to do a specific lab, i.e. Blood Typing, EKG, or DNA Isolation, because of a lack of expensive lab equipment or time in the lab, these simulations are a great way to supplement your face-to-face lab course.

Virtual Labs as a Make-up Lab

Have you been faced with school closures? Perhaps due to sickness or a weather event? Or, during the week of a holiday, do you have to cancel all labs that week? Laboratory time is precious, and it can often be difficult to get labs rescheduled or allow students to get into the physical lab. By allowing students to do the virtual lab in its place, saves the student—and instructor—the stress of having to make up the lab.

Virtual Labs for Accessibility

Connect Virtual Labs were designed from the onset to meet standards for accessibility. They are operable by keyboard navigation and with a screen-reader—and meet the WCAG 2.1 requirements.

Service animals are often not allowed into the laboratory for safety reasons. Allowing students with a service animal the ability to complete virtual simulations eliminates stress and provides educational opportunities for these students. What about a student who is impaired suddenly? Perhaps a student breaks their arm or runs into another unfortunate circumstance? By having keyboard navigation, a student in this situation is still able to meet the learning objectives for the course.

Listen to this episode of the Succeed in A&P podcast to understand more about how accessibility is built into Connect Virtual Labs and McGraw Hill’s other digital learning platforms.

Get Creative!

With the Virtual Labs as an assignment type in your Connect course, you are bound to find other ways to utilize these lab simulations in your A&P course, so have fun. Please share with us how you are using them!