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Virtual Laboratory’s at Charles Sturt University

Explore how the Virtual Chemistry Laboratory at Charles Sturt University enhances distance education through a virtual platform. Discover the effectiveness and student feedback on the innovative technology.

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Virtual Laboratory’s at Charles Sturt University

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  1. Virtual Laboratory’s at Charles Sturt University Professor Barney Dalgarno Co-Director uImagine Digital Learning Innovation Laboratory Charles Sturt University

  2. Overview • The Virtual Chemistry Laboratory (2000-2005) • Demo • Evaluation of use by Distance Education students • Technology platform • Enhancements explored • Proposal for an open and extensible virtual laboratory platform

  3. The Virtual Chemistry Laboratory • Focus on preparation for laboratory sessions • Modelled on the undergraduate laboratory on Wagga Wagga campus • Ability to collect, assemble and manipulate apparatus • Information about apparatus and safety procedures embedded

  4. Demo

  5. Demo

  6. Demo

  7. Demo

  8. Demo

  9. Demo

  10. Demo

  11. Evaluation by Distance Students • Students sent the Virtual Laboratory on CD • Undertook exploratory activities using the Virtual Laboratory ahead of their residential school • Questionnaire on its effectiveness in preparing for residential school • Interviews to discuss the issues in more depth • Experimental design to compare preparation in the real lab with the virtual lab with another cohort

  12. Evaluation Results • No significant difference between virtual laboratory and real laboratory in apparatus identification, location or overall lab familiarity • Students using the Virtual Lab found it to be a valuable preparatory tool (57%) and indicated they would recommend it to other students (68%) • A minority said it improved their confidence (41%) or reduced anxiety (32%) in the laboratory • Dalgarno, B., Bishop, A.G., Adlong, W., & Bedgood Jr, D.R. (2009). Effectiveness of a virtual laboratory as a preparatory resource for distance education chemistry students. Computers and Education, 53(3), 853-865.

  13. Technology platform • Virtual Reality Modelling Language • VRML Script User Interface • Blaxxun Contact Extensions • Java Script Menu System • Dalgarno, B. (2005). A VRML Virtual Chemistry Laboratory Incorporating Reusable Prototypes for Object Manipulation. SimTect 2005, the annual conference of the Simulation Industry Association of Australia. Available: http://www.siaa.asn.au/get/2411855836.pdf.

  14. Enhancements Explored- Virtual Experiments- Student Avatars- Personified Agents

  15. Enhancements Explored– Virtual PDA for communication with peers, video demonstrations, and access to toolsLee, M. J. W., & Dalgarno, B. (2011). Scaffolding discovery learning in 3D virtual environments: Challenges and considerations for instructional design. In S. Hai-Jew (Ed.), Virtual immersive and 3D learning spaces: Emerging technologies and trends (pp. 138–169). Hershey, PA: Information Science Reference.

  16. Next steps: An open and extensible platform for virtual bioscience laboratories – Australian Office for Learning and Teaching grant application • A navigable 3D interface; • Multi-user capabilities supporting collaboration and in-environment demonstrations; • Formative and summative feedback on activity while undertaking experiments and on conceptual understanding using learning analytics techniques; • An open platform enabling free adoption by the sector and ongoing extension and expansion; and • A user-extensible and user-configurable architecture.

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