California CCs Adopt Labster for Virtual Lab Work

virtual lab

With nearly all campuses transitioning to online learning during the COVID-19 outbreak, California's community colleges will let students continue their science lab-based education by giving them access to virtual laboratories. The California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office has signed a deal with Labster, to provide 2.1 million students in the state with access to 130 virtual lab simulations through the rest of the year.

Using the labs, students perform experiments, learn science concepts and practice skills in what the company calls a "risk-free learning environment."

Labster will provide a means to continue delivering "STEM course instruction to students," said Vice Chancellor of Communications Paul Feist, in a statement. "Our goal is to allow students to gain access to realistic labs that enable them to perform experiments and achieve desired learning outcomes."

The company said it was working with the community college instructors to help them integrate virtual labs into their courses. Already, people in 80 percent of the 115 colleges in the system have contacted Labster to begin setting up access for students, primarily for biology, chemistry and physics. They'll have access to course maps that guide them to the best simulations for given lessons and "various teacher training resources." The program integrates with the learning management system in use (Instructure Canvas).

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • college student working on a laptop, surrounded by icons representing campus support services

    National U Launches Student Support Hub for Non-Traditional Learners

    National University has launched a new student support hub designed to help online and working learners balance career, education, and family responsibilities as they pursue their education. Called "The Nest," the facility is positioned as a "co-learning" center that provides wraparound support services, work and study space, and access to child care.

  • university building icon connected to three simple career symbols—a briefcase, gear, and medical cross

    University of Illinois System Sets Sights on Community College Transfers with One Million Degrees Partnership

    In a multiyear pilot program, the University of Illinois System is working with nonprofit One Million Degrees to bridge the community college transfer gap and improve student outcomes.

  • robot waving

    Copilot Updates Aim to Make AI More Personal

    Microsoft has unveiled a range of updates to its Copilot platform, marking a new phase in its effort to deliver what it calls a "true AI companion" that adapts to individual users' needs, preferences and routines.

  • From Fire TV to Signage Stick: University of Utah's Digital Signage Evolution

    Jake Sorensen, who oversees sponsorship and advertising and Student Media in Auxiliary Business Development at the University of Utah, has navigated the digital signage landscape for nearly 15 years. He was managing hundreds of devices on campus that were incompatible with digital signage requirements and needed a solution that was reliable and lowered labor costs. The Amazon Signage Stick, specifically engineered for digital signage applications, gave him the stability and design functionality the University of Utah needed, along with the assurance of long-term support.