Authors:
Tuomas Kangasniemi
1
;
Sebastian Olkinuora
1
;
Pekka Joensuu
1
;
Olli Natri
1
;
Pekka Qvist
2
;
Martti Ketola
2
;
Hanna Virtanen
1
;
Jaana Brusin
1
;
Marko Närhi
1
;
Reija Jokela
1
;
Eero Palomäki
3
;
Hannu Tiitu
3
and
Katrina Nordström
1
Affiliations:
1
Aalto University School of Chemical Technology, Finland
;
2
Metaverstas Ltd., Finland
;
3
Aalto University School of Science, Finland
Keyword(s):
Virtual Worlds, Virtual Laboratory, Laboratory Simulation, Second Life, Engaged Learning, Usability Testing, Heuristic Evaluation, Design Process, Student Evaluation, Lablife3D, Decarboxylation, Vacuum Distillation, Enterovirus, Reverse Transcriptase PCR, Organic Chemistry, Molecular Biology.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Computer-Supported Education
;
e-Learning
;
e-Learning in Engineering Education
;
Immersive Learning
;
Learning/Teaching Methodologies and Assessment
;
Pedagogy Enhancement with e-Learning
;
Social Context and Learning Environments
;
Theoretical Bases of e-Learning Environments
;
Ubiquitous Learning
;
Virtual Labs and Virtual Classrooms
Abstract:
Practical skills are one of the core competencies in technology, engineering and the natural sciences. However, the busy curriculum in many universities lacks space and time for the learning-by-doing experience to mature. Therefore, we have designed and implemented a virtual laboratory, LabLife3D, to Second Life, to bridge the gap between theory and practice. To date, we have designed five virtual laboratory exercises in the biological sciences and chemistry there: a virus isolation experiment, a laboratory safety tutorial, organic chemistry simulations on (a) decarboxylation reactions and (b) vacuum distillation, and a molecular biology simulation on identifying a virus with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This paper presents their design process and outlines their contents. General design objectives in virtual laboratories are also discussed, along with laboratory simulations in Second Life by other groups. All the exercises have been designed in accordance with content-specific l
earning goals and outcomes, which are discussed. In addition to creation of contents, we have also recently studied the usability of our simulations and conducted a student assessment. Preliminary results of the student assessment are presented.
(More)