Labster Virtual Labs Close Achievement Gap in Online Microbiology Courses
Yavapai College conducted a pilot study to address a significant completion rate gap between online and in-person microbiology students. By implementing Labster virtual lab simulations in their BIO 205 courses during summer and fall 2024, they achieved remarkable results that eliminated the historic performance disparity.
Key Results
- 96% completion rate in online sections using Labster vs. 76% without Labster (20 percentage point improvement)
- Eliminated the achievement gap between online and in-person students - completion rates became statistically equivalent (87% online vs. 89% in-person)
- 17% overall improvement in online course completion from 2023 to 2024 (69% to 86%)
- Cost-effective solution compared to traditional home lab kits while providing safer biological learning experiences
- Immediate impact observed within the first semester of implementation
Implications
This evidence-based study demonstrates how virtual lab technology can level the playing field for online learners in STEM education. With 39% of community college students taking online courses, Labster's virtual simulations provide an accessible, engaging alternative that maintains academic rigor while improving student outcomes. The results were so compelling that Yavapai College's leadership confidently recommended district-wide adoption of Labster for all biology courses across instructional modalities.
Study conducted at Yavapai College (Arizona) with IRB approval, published in SITE 2025 Conference Proceedings
Full citation: Pierce, R., Kirkwood-Watts, D. & Bryce, R. (2025). Reducing the gap in online student completion rates with a virtual lab: A case study. In R. Jake Cohen (Ed.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (pp. 1391-1395). Orlando, FL, USA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved from: https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/225683.
