Fundamentals of Asynchronous Labs | Origin: EL116
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
The Asynchronous, Self-Directed Learning Model --> Fundamentals of Asynchronous Labs
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
Asychronous means that the instructor and student are not in the same place and time. So you can still have students come into lab and complete the work on their own time. Lab techs can be available.
Lab kits are useful to assist in teaching and evaluating the lab skills in a virtual environment.
I really really like the idea of lab kits. I'd love to incorporate them in both asynchronous and synchronous courses. Giving students the time to really work through a lab project at their own speed and the comfort of their own space seems like it'd be incredibly beneficial and provide students with a stronger sense of ownership in regard to their learning.
In this module I learned about the resources that are available to build or enhance a Virtual Lab including the use of Reusable Learning Objects, such as the one found in "MERLOT". The importance of having this component in the online learning environment brings a sense of realism into learning such as using simulation and gamification. I like the thought of having students engage through this method to help them increase their critical thinking and knowledge.
I like the fact that we can now complete virtual labs on and off campus. Students seem to enjoy the making and avitar of themselves and completing the lab with real life scenarios.
Labs can be used in the asynchronous setting and there are many resources available to provide students the needs equipment to practice their lab skills asynchronously.
Labs are crucial to simulate hands on learning and to drive home the topics being taught. When teaching online it is important to have options for still hold lab time.
Many options and resources for online labs, many which were 'new' to me as I'm used to skills lab and utilized several of the techniques mentioned and also human patient simulation for nursing courses. The rest were interesting as to the possibilities of what could be incorporated into the design of the course when labs are part of the required learning outcomes. Thanks for that information, a wealth of knowledge there ;-)
Asynchronous materials must be specially selected and sometimes modfied to be suitable for asynchronous courses. Instructors may collect and odify their own materials, or they may make use of Re-usable Learning Objects (RLOs) for static content. RLOs can be obtained at sites suh as MERLOT. Pre-made lab kits and simulations may also be available for common and static content. Pre-packaged manuals and experiments can help with labs and academic deliverables. Knowing a wider range fo resources for obtaining materials will save me from having to re-invent the wheel each time and increases the options for creating valid and engaging interaction.
Asynchronous labs are some of the more difficult concepts that I have had to get around. I was so used to being with them and answering a question as it arose. Also, when I am looking at the same question from a bunch of different people, I find it is easier to answer everyone in an announcement or FAQ type of situation.
Providing lab kits, virtual labs, simulations, and videos, are some of the many ways to make an asynchronous online lab class as rich and engaging as possible.
By use of the growing resources that facilitate labs in asynchronous courses, courses can offer more practical hands-on learning than previous, old-school asynchronous courses were able. The ideas do not just apply to stem related course but can be adapted to other courses.
This module provided some resources to create simluated lab opportunies through the use of RLOs. It is clear that creating an asynchronous lab opportunity would require an investment in time and resources to provide appropriate content and tools that meet the needs of students. We have discovered a case simulation website for our program that provides the best opportunity for simulated lab opportunities that incorporates real-life scenarios for a nominal semester fee, but it does require that we budget for this expense each year.
It is difficult to recreate a F2F lab environment inside of an asynchronous course, but it is definitely possible. There many resources out there, with some, mentioned and shared inside of the reading material.
Taking a lab class all online, i could see how challenging and time consuming it may be. It takes a dedicated instrucrtor who is proactive and passionate about the course information to dedicate time to enhancing their coure.
At our present point of eveloution from all campus based learning to online learning we are sort of a work in progress. We are a hands on technical institiue and as such the students must come on campus for mechnical/technical skills based labs. As with some of the lesson mentioned it would not be fesible to expect each student to have access to the same exact traing equipment in order to fairly evaluate each student.
There are many free resources available for creating an asynchronous lab environment for students. It is important to be creative and diligent in your search for viable replacements to real life lab activities.
Labs can be engaging and just as informative with hands on experience at home as they can be in person. Online learning gives students access to resources they might not have otherwise.
Asynchronous labs offer the advantage of 24/7 access to the students. It is study anytime and anywhere. There are several tools to assist learning such as MERLOT, and SERC. Instructors do not need to feel intimidated when creating a course because there are numerous tools to assist in with the content and process. Instructor, with time, can create a collection of reusable learning objects. It is important to connect theory with the real life experiences. Instructors are responsible for helping students comply with academic deliverables.
