Never in your wildest dreams could you have imagined taking a lab course online when you were in college, right? But when Science Interactive (2023a) surveyed 321 online science instructors, they told us that with some planning and foresight, online labs could be just as rigorous and high quality as the on-campus lab experience. They also noted that online labs were the key to expanding access to science education for students.
As student demand for online and hybrid learning continues to grow amid declining enrollment in on-campus courses (Science Interactive, 2023b), online STEM courses are proving to be a viable source for growing enrollment. Because students often turn to community colleges to begin their education or advance their careers, two-year institutions have a unique opportunity to boost enrollment by shifting these high-demand courses online. To do so successfully, it’s important to deliver an online lab experience that is just as authentic as those offered on campus.
The 321 instructors referenced above indicated key strategies for fostering a high-quality online learning experience that is just as effective as in-person.
Incorporate Hands-on Learning for Quality and Rigor Online
While the instructors Science Interactive surveyed cited recreating hands-on lab experiences and ensuring quality and rigor as the most glaring challenges, nearly 80 percent said they were satisfied with their overall online lab experience (Science Interactive, 2023a). Seventy-one percent felt their online labs were comparable to an in-person lab experience and 85 percent were confident that students could apply what they learned in the real world. Lauren Kerrigan, a chemistry instructor at Bucks County Community College, said,
Using hands-on experiments in my online course gives me the opportunity to provide my online students the same type of experience that a typical student coming to campus would have. The hands-on experience ensures their credits are transferable while providing them with the flexibility to do the labs from home.
Keep It Affordable
Yes, it’s true: There is a cost to shifting science lab courses online, especially those with hands-on components. However, when you consider the cost of on-campus lab time for instructors, students, and the institution, online labs are a cost-effective option. In fact, surveyed instructors and students thought the cost was commensurate with the value of the experience (Science Interactive, 2023a). Sixty-eight percent of faculty indicated that the cost of the hands-on labs was aligned with the value of getting to do hands-on experiments at home; 72 percent of students agreed that the cost of the hands-on labs was aligned with the value of the materials in the kits. Donna Uguccioni, an anatomy and physiology professor at Cape Fear Community College stated,
When I started teaching anatomy and physiology online, we used kits, but the costs became prohibitive, so we then used hard copy manuals. When we moved to Science Interactive, we could offer students a hands-on lab experience in their own home with a completely customizable kit to match our learning objectives. And the price point made it a perfect addition and replacement to our previous methods.
Provide Instructor Support
Finally, as with most things, it takes a village to be successful. Just as important as the support students need from instructors to succeed in their courses, instructors need the same.
Both new and seasoned online instructors need access to and training in the tools, resources, and professional development required to deliver online labs effectively. According to the CHLOE 8 report (Quality Matters & Eduventures, 2023), 54 percent of COOs note that formal training by the institution is required for faculty to teach online. The amount and quality of resources and support instructors have can directly impact student success, which is why having access to a strong network of peer instructors is important.
Delivering a high-quality online science course requires time and effort, but the payoff is an engaging learning experience that genuinely gets students excited about science. This, along with an additional source to boost community college enrollment and expand access to science education, is a winning formula!
Want the whole story, including the student perspective? Download a copy of our full Annual Lab Report and reach out to us if you’re interested in learning how we can help you take your labs online.
References
Quality Matters & Eduventures. (2023). CHLOE 8: Student demand moves higher ed toward a multi-modal future. https://qualitymatters.org/qa-resources/resource-center/articles-resources/CHLOE-8-report-2023
Science Interactive. (2023a). State of the online science lab in 2023. https://www.scienceinteractive.com/state-of-the-online-science-lab-report
Science Interactive. (2023b, July 5). 11 Stats that prove online science programs can help you increase student enrollment. https://www.scienceinteractive.com/11-stats-that-prove-online-science-programs-can-help-you-increase-student-enrollment/?s=stat
Science Interactive is an Innovations 2024 Advocate Sponsor.
