Dr. Sabine Matallana-Surget, an Associate Professor in Environmental Molecular Microbiology at the University of Stirling, has been integrating Labster's virtual lab platform into her curriculum since 2016. 

The University of Stirling's adoption of Labster spans 20 modules, enhancing the teaching of a wide range of subjects, including Chemistry, Lab Skills, Molecular Techniques, and more. Dr. Matallana-Surget's innovative approach to education has earned her the Dean’s Award for Innovation in Learning & Teaching in 2019.

Dr. Matallana-Surget teaches around 300 undergraduate students across three different year levels, employing Labster to provide an interactive and dynamic learning environment. 

Student feedback and anecdotal evidence show that students are more engaged, enthusiastic, and confident after using Labster. 

Some simulations used: 

• Gram Stain: Test yourself in Gram Stain Procedure
• Acids and Bases: Acidity and alkalinity in everyday substances
• Periodic Table (Principles): Get the table organized in time! 
• Lab Safety 
• FACS
• CRISPR-Cas
• Western Blot Transfer: Prepare for protein detection
• Bacterial Cell Structures: An introduction to the bacterial cell

Key takeaways:

• Virtual labs have built up student confidence and engagement
• Labster is used for formative assessments and providing individual feedback
• The platform enhances the overall student and instructor experience

Addressing Educational Challenges with Labster

“Some of my daily challenges are managing teaching workload across diverse modules, marking, and providing extensive feedback. Labster helps by offering formative assessments both before and after practical work on campus and generating individual feedback, allowing students to revisit related chapters for further learning. The use of quizzes as formative assessments has made teaching more dynamic and interactive.”

The Transformative Impact of Labster on Teaching and Learning

 "This innovative teaching tool offers multiple advantages, such as reducing the costs of expensive molecular practicals and offering an interactive virtual environment where students are not afraid of making mistakes, building up their confidence, enthusiasm, and engagement in the module."

Enhanced Student Experience and Engagement:

“All students very much enjoyed this new e-learning platform to assess their own knowledge, and this was evidenced in the Module Feedback as well as Narrative Scoring Scheme (NSS).” Here are two student quotes:

• “Virtual labs are fun, well-designed, and they really help you understand the content of the module.”
• “The module was well organized. I loved the Labster activities, they were fun but also very educational.”

Hybrid Learning for Enhanced Educational Outcomes

“Hybrid learning is invaluable for multidisciplinary practicals, particularly those methods involving long waiting times or high costs. Virtual labs, like Labster, contribute to engaging students, fostering curiosity, supporting diverse learning requirements, and enhancing the overall student experience.”

Vision for Future Labster Use

“We’re looking to continue using Labster across undergraduate modules and explore the creation of induction trainings tailored for Ph.D. students, focusing on methods, as well as soft skills such as time management or conference tips, along with quizzes.”