Challenge

In a flipped classroom model, students are expected to engage with foundational concepts before class, but complex physiological processes can be difficult to grasp through readings or lectures alone. Faculty at the University of Eastern Finland sought a way to help students better understand key concepts before class and explored whether interactive virtual labs could improve preparation and learning outcomes in an online animal physiology course.

Solution 

Faculty members conducted a study evaluating the impact of Labster simulations on engagement and learning outcomes. Vesa Paajanen, Senior Lecturer at the University of Eastern Finland, incorporated Labster simulations into his online animal physiology course. He gathered learning analytics data from the Moodle LMS, course discussion forum, weekly assignments, and Labster Dashboard to compare results across semesters. The interactive simulations allowed students to explore complex physiological concepts independently before engaging in deeper discussion during class.

Results

The study found that Labster simulations helped students better understand and visualize complex physiological processes. Students also reported high engagement with the simulations and felt they supported learning in the flipped classroom environment.

Key Takeaways

• Improved understanding of complex physiological concepts, increased student engagement, and supported learning in a flipped classroom model.
  
• Labster helped students visualize biological processes that are difficult to observe in traditional learning environments.
• Student pass rates increased by 16% after the introduction of Labster in the spring of 2023.

Student Feedback

• “Simulations helped my learning massively; they were an excellent learning tool. Simulation weeks were always the best weeks!”
• “I think it was a great experience for me. I have learnt so many things and really enjoyed the simulations.”
• “It was my first time learning with simulations, and I think it was a great tool. Some concepts from lectures that initially I did not understand properly, I could understand totally in the simulations. Besides, even when there are tests in the simulations, the pressure of doing those tests is less than the test in real life. That helped me to feel more comfortable and confident to answer the questions, and I think I obtained good results.”