The Learning Gains and Student Perceptions of a Second Life Virtual Lab
Article
Cobb, Stephanie, Heaney, Rose, Corcoran, O. and Henderson-Begg, Stephanie 2009. The Learning Gains and Student Perceptions of a Second Life Virtual Lab. Bioscience Education. https://doi.org/10.3108/beej.13.5
Authors | Cobb, Stephanie, Heaney, Rose, Corcoran, O. and Henderson-Begg, Stephanie |
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Abstract | This study examines students’ reactions to the virtual biosciences laboratory developed in Second Life® (SL) at the University of East London. Final year undergraduates and masters students studying biotechnology took part in a trial of a virtual Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) experiment in Second Life and evaluated their experience by anonymous questionnaire. Learning gains were measured at various points during the study using pre- and post-tests, and interaction with demonstrators was monitored and compared during the real life (RL) practical. Both groups showed a significant increase in learning gain over the pre- and post-tests, although no difference in gains between the two groups was detected. However, students who conducted the PCR experiment in SL required significantly less demonstrator assistance during the subsequent RL practical. The SL practical was well received by students, with 92% of participants reporting that they would like to use the system again and many requesting other experiments to be made available in this manner in the future. |
Keywords | Second Life; PCR; virtual world; practical; bioscience |
Journal | Bioscience Education |
ISSN | 1479-7860 |
Year | 2009 |
Publisher's version | License CC BY-ND |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.3108/beej.13.5 |
Web address (URL) | http://hdl.handle.net/10552/421 |
Publication dates | |
Jun 2009 | |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 04 Dec 2009 |
Additional information | Citation: |
https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/863q5
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