Exploring the Use of Videos and Virtual Simulations in College Microbiology Lab Courses: Student Perception and Pros and Cons
This study aims to explore the advantages and drawbacks associated with the integration of videos and virtual simulations in university microbiology lab courses, comparing them to the traditional in-person approach at North Carolina A&T State University. Utilizing Qualtrics<sup>XM</sup&...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-10-01
|
| Series: | Trends in Higher Education |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2813-4346/3/4/49 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850050550879485952 |
|---|---|
| author | Ewunkem Jude Akamu Rochelle High Uchenna B. Iloghalu Yaser Ahmed Liesl K. Jeffers-Francis |
| author_facet | Ewunkem Jude Akamu Rochelle High Uchenna B. Iloghalu Yaser Ahmed Liesl K. Jeffers-Francis |
| author_sort | Ewunkem Jude Akamu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study aims to explore the advantages and drawbacks associated with the integration of videos and virtual simulations in university microbiology lab courses, comparing them to the traditional in-person approach at North Carolina A&T State University. Utilizing Qualtrics<sup>XM</sup> survey software (XM/os2), data from 190 survey responses were analyzed to understand students’ preferences and perceptions. Participants were asked about their preferred learning style—traditional in-person, virtual, or a combination of both. Results indicated that 57.2% of students favored a hybrid approach, combining traditional in-person and virtual microbiology lab experiences, while 30.6% preferred in-person learning and 12.4% leaned towards virtual learning. Exploring student perceptions of lab simulations (Labster 7.25.0) and YouTube videos in comprehending microbiology lab etiquette, 65% found these resources beneficial, whereas 13.1% did not. When assessing students’ enjoyment of virtual lab simulations, responses varied, with 68.8% agreeing, 18% neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and 12.8% disagreeing with the statement “I enjoyed the virtual lab simulations”. This extensive exploration into student perspectives contributes insights for educators and institutions, guiding the development of effective pedagogical strategies in microbiology education amidst evolving instructional modalities. The findings underscore the significance of accommodating diverse learning preferences to enhance overall learning experiences. As educational institutions continue to work to recover from setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, results from this study will empower stakeholders to update their plans for responding to future pandemics. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d4402bfc49054f54b5f4b9e56ce2c501 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2813-4346 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Trends in Higher Education |
| spelling | doaj-art-d4402bfc49054f54b5f4b9e56ce2c5012025-08-20T02:53:26ZengMDPI AGTrends in Higher Education2813-43462024-10-013486187110.3390/higheredu3040049Exploring the Use of Videos and Virtual Simulations in College Microbiology Lab Courses: Student Perception and Pros and ConsEwunkem Jude Akamu0Rochelle High1Uchenna B. Iloghalu2Yaser Ahmed3Liesl K. Jeffers-Francis4Department of Biological Sciences, Winston Salem State University, Winston-Salem, NC 27110, USADepartment of Biology, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USADepartment of Biological Sciences, Winston Salem State University, Winston-Salem, NC 27110, USADepartment of Biology, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USADepartment of Biology, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USAThis study aims to explore the advantages and drawbacks associated with the integration of videos and virtual simulations in university microbiology lab courses, comparing them to the traditional in-person approach at North Carolina A&T State University. Utilizing Qualtrics<sup>XM</sup> survey software (XM/os2), data from 190 survey responses were analyzed to understand students’ preferences and perceptions. Participants were asked about their preferred learning style—traditional in-person, virtual, or a combination of both. Results indicated that 57.2% of students favored a hybrid approach, combining traditional in-person and virtual microbiology lab experiences, while 30.6% preferred in-person learning and 12.4% leaned towards virtual learning. Exploring student perceptions of lab simulations (Labster 7.25.0) and YouTube videos in comprehending microbiology lab etiquette, 65% found these resources beneficial, whereas 13.1% did not. When assessing students’ enjoyment of virtual lab simulations, responses varied, with 68.8% agreeing, 18% neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and 12.8% disagreeing with the statement “I enjoyed the virtual lab simulations”. This extensive exploration into student perspectives contributes insights for educators and institutions, guiding the development of effective pedagogical strategies in microbiology education amidst evolving instructional modalities. The findings underscore the significance of accommodating diverse learning preferences to enhance overall learning experiences. As educational institutions continue to work to recover from setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, results from this study will empower stakeholders to update their plans for responding to future pandemics.https://www.mdpi.com/2813-4346/3/4/49microbiology labvirtual lablabsterYouTubevideo |
| spellingShingle | Ewunkem Jude Akamu Rochelle High Uchenna B. Iloghalu Yaser Ahmed Liesl K. Jeffers-Francis Exploring the Use of Videos and Virtual Simulations in College Microbiology Lab Courses: Student Perception and Pros and Cons Trends in Higher Education microbiology lab virtual lab labster YouTube video |
| title | Exploring the Use of Videos and Virtual Simulations in College Microbiology Lab Courses: Student Perception and Pros and Cons |
| title_full | Exploring the Use of Videos and Virtual Simulations in College Microbiology Lab Courses: Student Perception and Pros and Cons |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the Use of Videos and Virtual Simulations in College Microbiology Lab Courses: Student Perception and Pros and Cons |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the Use of Videos and Virtual Simulations in College Microbiology Lab Courses: Student Perception and Pros and Cons |
| title_short | Exploring the Use of Videos and Virtual Simulations in College Microbiology Lab Courses: Student Perception and Pros and Cons |
| title_sort | exploring the use of videos and virtual simulations in college microbiology lab courses student perception and pros and cons |
| topic | microbiology lab virtual lab labster YouTube video |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2813-4346/3/4/49 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ewunkemjudeakamu exploringtheuseofvideosandvirtualsimulationsincollegemicrobiologylabcoursesstudentperceptionandprosandcons AT rochellehigh exploringtheuseofvideosandvirtualsimulationsincollegemicrobiologylabcoursesstudentperceptionandprosandcons AT uchennabiloghalu exploringtheuseofvideosandvirtualsimulationsincollegemicrobiologylabcoursesstudentperceptionandprosandcons AT yaserahmed exploringtheuseofvideosandvirtualsimulationsincollegemicrobiologylabcoursesstudentperceptionandprosandcons AT lieslkjeffersfrancis exploringtheuseofvideosandvirtualsimulationsincollegemicrobiologylabcoursesstudentperceptionandprosandcons |