Learning lab skills online: Lessons from implementing video-based instruction for a remote biotechnology lab

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology Education
• Online Learning
• Pandemic Pedagogy

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid shift to online learning, impacting practical laboratory courses.
• Hands-on laboratory courses, such as advanced Protein Interactions, faced significant adaptation challenges.
• The Fall 2020 Protein Interactions course was transitioned to an online format.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare student experiences and learning outcomes between in-person and online laboratory formats.
• To assess the effectiveness of video demonstrations and provided data in a remote laboratory setting.
• To identify challenges and lessons learned from implementing online laboratory courses during the pandemic.

Main Methods:

• First-person videos of laboratory experiments were created for online delivery.
• Students analyzed pre-existing experimental data using electronic lab notebooks and reports.
• Student perspectives and assessments were collected from both in-person (Fall 2019) and online (Fall 2020) cohorts.

Main Results:

• Online students reported appreciation for instructional videos and increased procedural self-confidence.
• Despite video resources, online students retained more misconceptions about the course material.
• Factors beyond the lack of hands-on work, such as pandemic-related anxiety, may have affected learning.

Conclusions:

• While online resources can enhance confidence, they may not fully replace the learning from hands-on laboratory experiences.
• The transition to remote labs requires careful consideration of student engagement and potential learning gaps.
• Further strategies are needed to address misconceptions and support effective learning in virtual science education.