Development and Implementation of a Virtual Cell Culture Lab Practical for an Introductory BME Lab Course.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering Education
• Cell Culture Techniques
• Remote Learning Strategies

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid transitions from in-person to remote learning environments.
• Traditional in-person laboratory practicals in science education faced significant disruption.
• Adaptation of hands-on laboratory experiences to virtual formats became crucial for course continuity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt an in-person cell culture laboratory practical for an introductory biomedical engineering course into a virtual assessment.
• To evaluate the effectiveness and student outcomes of the virtual lab practical compared to the traditional in-person format.
• To explore the potential benefits and future applicability of virtual lab practicals in science education.

Main Methods:

• The in-person cell culture lab practical was redesigned as a virtual assessment delivered via a Learning Management System (LMS).
• The virtual practical incorporated video demonstrations, data analysis components, and multiple-choice questions to assess student understanding.
• Student performance metrics, including average scores and grade distributions, were analyzed and compared between virtual and in-person formats.

Main Results:

• Average student scores and grade distributions for the virtual lab practical were comparable to those of previous in-person offerings.
• Instructors reported fewer grading concerns with the virtual practical compared to in-person lab practicals.
• The virtual format demonstrated potential for reduced student stress, lower costs, decreased instructor time, and mitigated equipment limitations.

Conclusions:

• The virtual cell culture lab practical effectively maintained comparable student performance to in-person formats.
• Virtual lab practicals offer significant advantages, including reduced student stress, cost-effectiveness, and efficient resource utilization.
• Developed resources, such as video tutorials and simulators, can be valuable supplements for educators and future course iterations.