Virtual Laboratory Simulation Essay

950 Words2 Pages

One of the most important differentiations between traditional labs and lab simulation is trial and error. Traditional laboratories are not lenient on mistakes, especially in the medical field, where one mistake might endanger the wellbeing of a patient. Despite conventional labs being more “hands-on” in allowing students to physically interact with their patients, both students and patients are placed at a higher risk for mistakes. While traditional labs are more perilous, students in lab simulations are “allowed to fail a procedure and make mistakes, and they can try a procedure repeatedly until they master it” (Akaike, 2012). Simulations expose students to different scenarios and allow them to practice as they explore through the procedures …show more content…

While efficient at teaching concepts, simulated labs don’t provide introductory levels (Corter, 2011). Simulated labs don’t educate students on the beginning skills of preparation in the lab; it assumes that the student has been educated on the basics. As a result, students are unable to understand advanced techniques without the prior knowledge and assistance of the instructor, leaving them confused. Thus, a possible solution to resolve confusion in the student would be “blended learning” where students, “take at least part of a class online while supervised by an adult” (Godsey, 2015). The idea of blending learning can apply to both lab simulation and traditional labs, where a combination of both yields to greater learning success of the student. The combination of both traditional and simulated labs allows the individual to prepare and practice before the lab through lab simulations and be able to obtain hands – on experience through the actual lab itself. Ultimately, lab simulation would serve as an excellent supplementation to traditional labs by reinforcing concepts and ideas through realistic simulations, practice tasks, and problems. These lab simulations enhance traditional learning by being a pre – laboratory exercise and visualization tool. With the combination of both, students learn more because they are encouraged to understand concepts, require less time, and improve their ability to predict possible outcomes of the

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