Developing and Implementing Low-Cost Remote Laboratories for Undergraduate Biology and Neuroscience Courses

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience Education
• Online Learning
• Pandemic Pedagogy

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid shift from in-person to online university courses.
• Delivering science laboratory courses remotely presents unique challenges due to specialized equipment and resource requirements.
• Traditional online learning methods may not adequately replicate hands-on laboratory experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present strategies for developing and implementing a full-semester online neuroscience laboratory course.
• To evaluate the impact of remote, independent laboratory exercises on student self-efficacy.
• To identify best practices for remote science education and ensure equitable access to resources.

Main Methods:

• Development of a comprehensive neuroscience laboratory curriculum adaptable for remote execution.
• Implementation of online meeting platforms for demonstrations and student participation.
• Comparative analysis of student self-efficacy between remote, independent lab work and passive online observation.

Main Results:

• Students performing remote, independent neuroscience lab exercises demonstrated significantly improved self-efficacy and confidence.
• Remote learning strategies were effective in allowing students to participate fully in laboratory exercises from home.
• Passive observation of online experiments yielded lower self-efficacy gains compared to active remote participation.

Conclusions:

• Remote, hands-on neuroscience laboratory experiences can effectively enhance student learning and confidence.
• Best practices are crucial for successful remote science education, including instructor demonstration and student execution.
• Addressing technological disparities is essential to ensure all students can succeed in online laboratory courses.