Research
Our research combines the latest knowledge in educational psychology, cognitive science and machine learning in order to understand how to best design and develop technology for learning and training.
Participate in research studies
Want to try some of our simulations for free and participate in cutting-edge educational psychology research? Choose from the available simulations below and contribute to science! Your input and feedback will help our scientists uncover the mysteries that lie at the interface between technology and learning. These simulations are still beta-versions, so your feedback will also help us in their development.
Check out our FAQ section for more details about how we carry out our research.
Fun facts about science
In this simulation, you will explore various scientific tools and learn about the most incredible and mind-blowing facts surrounding them.
Lab Safety
Safety first! In this simulation, you will create a safe and orderly working environment by identifying and eliminating hazards in the lab.
Coming soon
Bacterial Isolation
Want to learn how to isolate a dangerous bacterial strain? This simulation will introduce you to the basics behind bacterial isolation.
Coming soon
Labster partners with top research institutions
Labster both participates in and leads a number of large-scale research projects, where we collaborate with various world renowned universities and biotech companies in the pursuit of understanding how to develop better simulations for learning. At Labster, we strongly believe that building successful partnerships between academic and industrial partners is key in having the highest impact in the development of technology tools for learning. Interested in doing research with us? Contact us at research@labster.com.
The SIPROS project
Sipros is a USD 6.7 million research project led by Labster, generously funded by the Innovation Fund Denmark. In this project, the objective is to explore virtual reality technology to increase productivity and occupational standards in the biotechnology industry. This project brings together scientists from three Danish universities and involves collaborations from many international universities and biotech companies from around the globe.
Currently, the Sipros research team is carrying out numerous studies to understand how immersive virtual simulations can be designed and applied in learning contexts, with a special emphasis on learning more about Virtual Reality technology. At the same time, we are exploring the use of big data to increase learning effectiveness and consider novel psycho-metrics and psycho-physiology for the measurement of learning and training. We are also working on developing a fully functional virtual reality tool with haptic feedback and on several new simulations to be used in biotech training.
Publications
At Labster, we publish our research results in the top-level journals in the fields of educational psychology, learning science and instructional design.
A Structural Equation Modeling Investigation of the Emotional Value of Immersive Virtual Reality in Education
Makransky, G., & Lilleholt, L. (2018). A Structural Equation Modeling Investigation of the Emotional Value of Immersive Virtual Reality in Education. Educational Technology Research and Development.
Adding immersive virtual reality to a science lab simulation causes more presence but less learning.
Makransky, G., Terkildsen, T. S., & Mayer, R. E. (2017). Adding immersive virtual reality to a science lab simulation causes more presence but less learning. Learning and Instruction.
Effects on Cognitive and Non-cognitive Outcomes and Implications on the Development of STEM Academic and Career Choice
Thisgaard, M., & Makransky, G. (2017). Virtual Learning Simulations in High School: Effects on Cognitive and Non-cognitive Outcomes and Implications on the Development of STEM Academic and Career Choice. Frontiers in Psychology, 8.
Development and validation of the Multimodal Presence Scale for virtual reality environments: A confirmatory factor analysis and item response theory approach
Makransky, G., Lilleholt, L., & Aaby, A. (2017). Development and validation of the Multimodal Presence Scale for virtual reality environments: A confirmatory factor analysis and item response theory approach. Computers in Human Behavior, 72, 276-285.
Virtual simulations as preparation for lab Exercises: Assessing learning of key laboratory skills in microbiology and improvement of essential non-cognitive skills
Makransky, G., Thisgaard, M. W., & Gadegaard, H. (2016). Virtual simulations as preparation for lab Exercises: Assessing learning of key laboratory skills in microbiology and improvement of essential non-cognitive skills. PloS one, 11(6), e0155895.
Simulation based virtual learning environment in medical genetics counseling: an example of bridging the gap between theory and practice in medical education
Makransky, G., Bonde, M. T., Wulff, J. S., Wandall, J., Hood, M., Creed, P. A., … & Nørremølle, A. (2016). Simulation based virtual learning environment in medical genetics counseling: an example of bridging the gap between theory and practice in medical education. BMC medical education, 16(1), 98.
Improving biotech education through gamified laboratory simulations
Bonde, M. T., Makransky, G., Wandall, J., Larsen, M. V., Morsing, M., Jarmer, H., & Sommer, M. O. (2014). Improving biotech education through gamified laboratory simulations. Nature biotechnology, 32(7), 694-697.
Research FAQs
How much time does it take to complete the research simulations?
It takes around 20-30 minutes to complete the simulations. Make sure to complete the simulations, or otherwise you unfortunately cannot participate in the research.
Are the research simulations difficult to complete?
The labs require no prior science knowledge. We’ll test your understanding of what you learned in the simulations. It’s not hard, but make sure to play close attention, or it may be difficult to answer correctly.
Are the research simulations the same as the simulations from the simulation catalog?
No. These are special simulations that we have developed for research purposes. But they’re still just as fun, and you’ll learn a whole lot about science!
What is the research about?
We can’t tell you exactly what the research is about, as that could affect the outcome. We can however tell you that the findings will be used to improve your learning experience! By playing the research simulations, you will help us understand how people learn in virtual environments.
How will you use the data?
All users are 100% anonymous, and your personal information will not be published or shared. To learn more about how we store and use your personal information, please see our privacy policy.
Do you have any other questions? Feel free to contact us at research@labster.com.