Curious About Online Laboratory? Top FAQs & Why PraxiLabs is Your Best Bet!

Last Updated on October 15, 2024 by Nourhan Essam

Online laboratories for science experiments are interactive digital simulations that replicate real-world laboratory environments, allowing students and researchers to engage in practical learning experiences, explore scientific concepts and perform experiments virtually.

Explore the top FAQs about online laboratory and discover why PraxiLabs is your ultimate lab companion! Join us as we highlight the innovative features that make PraxiLabs the go-to choice for students and educators alike!

What is the meaning of online laboratory?

An online laboratory or virtual lab is an immersive, interactive, and digital simulation of experiments and activities that typically take place in physical laboratory settings. Online laboratory simulates everything in the science labs such as the materials, tools, chemicals, equipment, tests, steps and procedures used in chemistry, biology, physics, and other disciplines.

Online labs provide students with lab-based learning exercises without the limitations and costs of real labs. Virtual labs can be a vital element in institutional efforts to expand access to lab-based courses to more and different groups of students, as well as efforts to establish contingency plans for natural disasters or other interruptions of campus activities.

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Are online labs effective?

 Virtual physics lab experiences can provide an alternative or supplement to these traditional hands-on labs. However, physics professors may be very hesitant to give up the hands-on labs, which have been such a central part of their courses, for a more cost and time-saving virtual alternative. Thus, it is important to investigate how the learning from these virtual experiences compares to that acquired through a hands-on experience.

According to a study that aims to evaluate a comprehensive set of virtual labs for introductory level college physics courses and compared them to a hands-on physics lab experience. Each of the virtual labs contains everything a student needs to conduct a physics laboratory experiment, including: objectives, background theory, 3D simulation, brief video, data collection tools, pre- and post lab questions, and post lab quiz.

This research was conducted with 224 students from two large universities and investigated the learning that occurred with students using the virtual labs either in a lab setting or as a supplement to hands-on labs versus a control group of students using the traditional hands-on labs only. Findings from both university settings showed the virtual labs to be as effective as the traditional hands-on physics labs.

Source: Are Virtual Labs as Effective as Hands-on Labs for Undergraduate Physics? A Comparative Study at Two Major Universities| ResearchGate

What types of tests can be performed in an online laboratory?

Online laboratories cover a wide range of tests that can be performed in the field of chemistry, physics and biology. Online lab simulations ensure the safety of students while exploring scientific concepts, doing virtual experiments, and making observations.

Can virtual labs be accessed online?

Virtual labs or virtual experiments simulations can be accessed on any device connected to the internet. Students can practice and learn wherever they wish through online laboratory test. With this constant availability students can better plan their day and benefit from every moment.

Explore the Best universities for online programs in the world! 

How can you use virtual labs for physics?

Virtual labs for physics experiments are digital e-learning platforms that allow students to perform and understand physics experiments in a simulated environment. Online Lab physics offers  various features, such as 3D immersive, interactive, realistic environments, and the ability to repeat experiments many times.

Unlock the Future: Why PraxiLabs is Your Ultimate Online Laboratory Companion!

PraxiLabs is an e-learning leading company that provides interactive 3D virtual lab simulations that are safe, affordable and accessible anytime/anywhere for educational institutions and students in more than 20 scientific fields .

PraxiLabs does not only provide more than 150 immersive virtual lab experiences, but it also  addresses the key challenges students face  in science education and adds enriched content that provides students with more understanding and knowledge. PraxiLabs has numerous sales partners across the globe in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Philippines, Malaysia, Ireland, Mexico and Canada.

Stay Ahead of the Curve: The Latest Features You Can’t Miss at PraxiLabs!

 Tutorial: a step-by-step tutorial for each experiment that points out features inside the lab that you may not be aware of.

  • Know more about our lab options.
  • Realize how to use your lab partner, the menu button and how to zoom in and out, rotate, or reset the camera.

Access our vast and exceptionally diverse collection of in-demand lab experiments to enhance your students’ learning experience in online laboratory experiments. 

Skipping Ahead: If you click “Skip”, a list of the experiment milestones will allow you to select and focus on the stage you want to understand better.

-With LMS integration, if a student skips one of the experiment stages, this will  be  reflected in appear in the students’ performance and progress reports seen by the instructor

Model Answer: Reinforce your students’ knowledge and correct any mistakes with PraxiLabs’ Model Answers.

  • Check if the answers are right or wrong.
  • Get the scores and the model answer immediately.
  • Have all MCQ results sent to your LMS.
  • Confirm competencies or debunk any misconceptions while you’re at it!

“plug & play” setup and integration:

With our One day “plug & play” setup and integration we have you up and running right away, reviewing your students’ performance in real time, setting up courses and aligning with your students. And even if you don’t have an LMS in place or can’t integrate, we got you covered. With our mini LMS you gain instant access to our web-based dashboard where you can gain access to the same reports, data and administrative tools that you would via LMS integration.

Control the level of help your students get, set exams and guide your students to make the best out of their lab experience.

Custom Projects

In addition to the main virtual labs it offers, PraxiLabs also provides custom virtual lab simulation online solutions designed specifically for an organization’s needs. Whether your organization requires a flight simulator , shipping simulator, or a virtual mechanical workshop, PraxiLabs can design it and help you save on expensive equipment and space.

Our previous custom projects include the maritime, hospitality, and healthcare industries.

Progress Report:

The Progress Report will show you the date and time of the trial and how long each student takes to complete an experiment, as well as their grade (if they answer the multiple-choice questions). 

It will show you any stages that have been skipped during the experiment, for example, the DNA extraction has 3 stages. The new feature will capture any stages that have been skipped by the student in each attempt. 

Knowing the number of times the student has asked our lab partner “Oxi” to know the next step and the last step that the student stopped at by the progress report, can help you to identify students who may be struggling with certain steps or who might need more help in order to complete the experiment.

Get ready for some thrilling enhancements at PraxiLabs!

 We’re constantly working behind the scenes to bring you new features that will elevate your educational experience. Imagine more immersive labs, streamlined navigation, and personalized learning paths—all on the horizon! Keep your eyes peeled for our upcoming announcements and be prepared to dive into a world of innovation that will make your lab work even more engaging!

Request a Demo Now and Increase your Students’ Learning Retention and Engagement!

Stay Updated on What’s In the Works at PraxiLabs!

 

About Nourhan Essam

Nourhan Essam is a Senior Content Writer at PraxiLabs, with a deep passion for crafting impactful scientific content. With over 6 years of experience, she has developed robust expertise in e-learning, education, science, and digital marketing. Nourhan leverages her comprehensive understanding to produce high-quality, compelling, and informative pieces in both Arabic and English. Dedicated to enhancing the quality of scientific content, she ensures that each piece is engaging, educational, and aligned with the needs of her audience.