The Effects of Biotechnology Virtual Labs Approach for Enhancing of Understanding 1st Year University Students

Abstract

Recently, the emphasis on developing laboratory teaching skills for university classes has increased. Past researchers had mainly focused on the need to improve teaching methods to transfer from the teacher is the center of the learning to the student is the center of the learning. Therefore, the main purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of a biotechnology virtual labs approach to improve the understanding of 1st year students. The sampling of the research selected from the biology department faculty of the education university of Kufa-Iraq has been selected using a purposive sampling technique with a total sample size of 120 students. A standard instrument tool is used to measure the students' understanding of cell biology class which is named the understanding cell biology virtual lab test (UCBVLT). Data obtained from research instruments were then analyzed using SPSS. Independent sample t-test analyses revealed a significant difference in terms of 1st year university student understanding of cell Biology between those who are exposed to biotechnology virtual labs and those who followed the conventional lab activities. In conclusion, the proposed teaching approach (BVL) achieved better results for students' understanding of cell biology. The research is recommended to implement the BVL approach for cell biology class and other science classes. Another important point, the proposed teaching approach (BVL), The proposed learning method can play a crucial role in teaching several sciences classes and be an alternative to traditional education in cases of necessity, as happened at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.