Design and develop second life virtual lab for biochemistry blended teaching and learning based on constructivism

Abstract

Department of Biochemistry in HKU has been planning to implement virtual lab blended learning solution into their experiment related courses. Based on selected case, the study investigated whether the virtual lab would arouse more learning interests and improve the learning gains for students. Also, the study concluded some useful suggestions for virtual lab blended learning and generalized a few guidelines for instructional design on virtual lab.

The study adopted mixed research methods with combination of quantitative and qualitative studies. With the ADDIE instructional design model, the researcher and his advisor constructed initial virtual lab in Second Life virtual design platform for selected class based on the teacher’s suggestions and course arrangements. Then chosen students participated in demonstration classes organized in two groups, one with Second Life virtual lab for teaching and learning (SL Group) while the other without(Non-SL Group). The students were given same quiz in the Moodle LMS to compare their basic academic learning outcomes. Meanwhile, researcher with other three observers recorded students’ class performances for each learning tasks by camera and observation forms. At the end of the class, surveys were delivered to them to collect their perceptions about learning with Second Life virtual lab and their suggestions for virtual lab design.

The research findings indicate that students can basically accept the virtual lab blended learning solution. Compared with Non-SL Group, students from SL Group achieved higher average scores in academic quiz with more passions in class learning. They were more active in joining class activities and discussions in small team with more interactions between team members. However, they were also troubled by the use of virtual lab because of unclear instruction, technical problems, virtual learning activities design and virtual lab system issues.

The paper argued the way of integrating the virtual lab into experiment courses in biochemistry teaching and learning. It discussed the proper ways to design the blended virtual lab learning system for learning purpose and questioned the virtual technologies used for learning design. Finally, it concluded some principles and guideline framework for blended virtual lab design and development in biochemistry teaching and learning, which can be also applied for similar design and development in health and medical education.