Virtual labs are not a substitute for wet lab experience: Opinion

Virtual labs can help students familiarize themselves with the workflow of a lab and mentally prepare for a hands-on lab, but do not replace the wet lab experience, writes Martina Steiner, an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto. Steiner writes that the use of virtual labs was increasing even before the pandemic to help students participate and learn without worries about cost, biohazards, ethical concerns, time constraints, and other concerns. However, the author cautions that virtual labs cannot fully replace wet lab experience, as hands-on experience gives students the opportunity to master lab techniques, learn how equipment works, and develop muscle memory. The Conversation Note: Archived stories may contain dead links or be missing source links.