Why Lab Gab?

• Spring 2020 shift to online-
• Challenges:
• lack of pre-made online lab options
• students struggled with online labs

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• Research: Biology dept. survey identified challenging labs for each class
• Common theme- students need more instruction regarding labs
• Need Increases student-student interactions online

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• Brainstorm: Biology dept. chats with AF and FT faculty
• Voluntary virtual meetings to discuss teaching strategies
• Analyzed Survey results with Biology faculty in chats
• Lab Gab came from a combination of all of this

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• Initial implementation: Summer 2020 in BIOL&241 and BIOL&242

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• Fall 2020 inclusion of optional on campus labs
• Challenge: Students had issues coming to campus, so needed something equitable

Lab Format for A&P classes

• A&P labs scheduled 2X per week (M/W-242 or T/Th-241)
• Mondays or Tuesdays- Lab Gab
• Wednesdays or Thursdays- On campus lab

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• A&P Lab Curriculum:
• Labs enhance online lecture material
• Most labs are anatomy, but some physiology concepts
• On campus labs are “open lab” concept for students to complete labs “hands on”
• Online anatomy app access for students available for purchase in addition to online lab materials

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• Requirements for A&P lab:
• Students required to either attend lab gab/on campus lab or complete worksheet for participation
• Summative assessments (graded)- lab practicum- online assessment based on labs

What is Lab Gab?

• Online Virtual Lab Instruction- EXAMPLE LAB GAB SESSION
• Instructor – (located on campus) for virtual lab gab to use models in the lab
• 1 hour session during scheduled lab hours
• Double section: 1^st session recorded & posted to Canvas during 1^st section lab schedule

2^nd session unrecorded during 2^nd section lab schedule

• Students choose to attend either session
• Attendance taken in the chat
• Format
• Instructor led discussion about lab models, instructions for completing lab
• Jamboard (anonymous) review labeling activities: EXAMPLE JAMBOARD
• Breakout room lab worksheet completion with lab activities
• Each room gets a different question- Google doc of worksheet shared in chat
• Review lab material and lab worksheet to summarize

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Instructor Discussion

Interactive Student Activities

Canvas Lab Activities

• Attendance at lab gab:
• 88% of the class regularly attends weekly lab gab sessions
• Increased performance on lab practicum (BIOL&241)
• NOTE: Spring 2020 no lab gab. Summer-lab gab only. Fall 2020 lab gab & on campus lab option

Does it work?

Applications to other disciplines

• Alternative to traditional office hours for student help session: topic with student practice
• Instruction problem solving session with student practice of concepts
• Instructor review lab instructions/concepts with student small lab groups working on lab
• SI format for tutoring
• Other Ideas?

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Acknowledgements:

• THANK YOU biology dept faculty: Jonathan Miller, Gwen Shlichta, Stacy Alvares, Sam Cutler, Chris Monson, Michelle Messmer
• THANK YOU for the presentation review: Christina Hanson, Tiffany Ledford, Maria Kelly