View in EDS

Impact of a Virtual Laboratory on Student Learning Depends on Course Modality

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Impact of a Virtual Laboratory on Student Learning Depends on Course Modality
Language: English
Authors: Suma Mallavarapu (ORCID 0000-0001-5073-051X), Allison L. Martin (ORCID 0000-0003-2868-0899), Lauren A. Taglialatela (ORCID 0000-0001-5133-8851)
Source: Teaching of Psychology. 2026 53(3):179-189.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 11
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Laboratory Experiments, Electronic Learning, Academic Achievement, In Person Learning, Asynchronous Communication, Undergraduate Students, Psychology, Student Attitudes, Computer Software, Computer Simulation, Animals, Teaching Methods
Geographic Terms: Georgia
DOI: 10.1177/00986283251368296
ISSN: 0098-6283
1532-8023
Abstract: Background: Research indicates that laboratory experiences facilitate student learning. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a virtual laboratory (CyberRat) on student performance in Learning and Behavior classes. Additionally, we evaluated the impact of this laboratory as a function of class modality. Method: We incorporated CyberRat laboratories into two classes (one in-person and one asynchronous online), with two classes of the same modality serving as controls. The same instructor taught all four classes. We evaluated student performance using target exam items and class grades. We also collected self-report data regarding the perceived usefulness of CyberRat and perceptions about the class. Results: Performance on both learning measures was higher for CyberRat classes than for control classes. This main effect was fueled by the differential benefit of CyberRat in online but not in face-to-face classes. Online students in the CyberRat condition benefited more than their in-person peers. Conclusion: Incorporation of a virtual laboratory appears to bolster student success; however, the impact of this type of laboratory may be limited to online classes. Teaching Implications: Educators should evaluate the efficacy of virtual laboratory experiences for in-person learning because the benefit seems to lie uniquely for online classes.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1505598
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
Header DbId: eric
DbLabel: ERIC
An: EJ1505598
AccessLevel: 3
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Impact of a Virtual Laboratory on Student Learning Depends on Course Modality
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Suma+Mallavarapu%22">Suma Mallavarapu</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5073-051X">0000-0001-5073-051X</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Allison+L%2E+Martin%22">Allison L. Martin</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2868-0899">0000-0003-2868-0899</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lauren+A%2E+Taglialatela%22">Lauren A. Taglialatela</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5133-8851">0000-0001-5133-8851</externalLink>)
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Teaching+of+Psychology%22"><i>Teaching of Psychology</i></searchLink>. 2026 53(3):179-189.
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 11
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
  Group: Audnce
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Laboratory+Experiments%22">Laboratory Experiments</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Electronic+Learning%22">Electronic Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+Achievement%22">Academic Achievement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22In+Person+Learning%22">In Person Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Asynchronous+Communication%22">Asynchronous Communication</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Undergraduate+Students%22">Undergraduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psychology%22">Psychology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Software%22">Computer Software</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Simulation%22">Computer Simulation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Animals%22">Animals</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teaching+Methods%22">Teaching Methods</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Georgia%22">Georgia</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1177/00986283251368296
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 0098-6283<br />1532-8023
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Background: Research indicates that laboratory experiences facilitate student learning. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a virtual laboratory (CyberRat) on student performance in Learning and Behavior classes. Additionally, we evaluated the impact of this laboratory as a function of class modality. Method: We incorporated CyberRat laboratories into two classes (one in-person and one asynchronous online), with two classes of the same modality serving as controls. The same instructor taught all four classes. We evaluated student performance using target exam items and class grades. We also collected self-report data regarding the perceived usefulness of CyberRat and perceptions about the class. Results: Performance on both learning measures was higher for CyberRat classes than for control classes. This main effect was fueled by the differential benefit of CyberRat in online but not in face-to-face classes. Online students in the CyberRat condition benefited more than their in-person peers. Conclusion: Incorporation of a virtual laboratory appears to bolster student success; however, the impact of this type of laboratory may be limited to online classes. Teaching Implications: Educators should evaluate the efficacy of virtual laboratory experiences for in-person learning because the benefit seems to lie uniquely for online classes.
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1505598
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1505598
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1177/00986283251368296
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 11
        StartPage: 179
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Laboratory Experiments
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Electronic Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Academic Achievement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: In Person Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Asynchronous Communication
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Undergraduate Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer Software
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer Simulation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Animals
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teaching Methods
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Georgia
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Impact of a Virtual Laboratory on Student Learning Depends on Course Modality
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Suma Mallavarapu
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Allison L. Martin
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Lauren A. Taglialatela
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 07
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 0098-6283
            – Type: issn-electronic
              Value: 1532-8023
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 53
            – Type: issue
              Value: 3
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Teaching of Psychology
              Type: main
ResultId 1