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Labster

  • Labster

Labster's 3D virtual science labs in biology, chemistry, and physics offer an immersive, interactive learning experience.

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Labster's 160+ fully interactive virtual lab simulations cover the fundamentals of biology, chemistry, physics, and general sciences. Students perform realistic lab experiments, learn key scientific concepts, and practice their skills in a fun, immersive, risk-free virtual learning environment. The virtual science labs stimulate students' natural curiosity, improve learning outcomes, and highlight the connection between science and the real world. Educators use Labster for everything from a full laboratory replacement to interactive homework or visual lecture supplements. Published research has shown Labster to dramatically improve learning outcomes and increase student engagement.

Starting price
Free
Per Student, Per Semester
Free Trial
Need Based Scholarship
Pricing details provided by supplier:

Access to Labster's 160+ simulations starts at $2-$20+ per student for system and university-wide agreements and up to $49 or $99 for individual course access. Discounted access available for schools.

How CourseGateway Reviews Products

Reviews are established through an evaluation process applied to each courseware product.

Learn more

How CourseGateway Reviews Products

Reviews are established through an evaluation process applied to each courseware product.

Learn more
10/01/2020
Last evaluated
Reviewed with Rubric v1

Overall

Last evaluated
Reviewed with Rubric v1

Overall

Labster provides a comprehensive collection of interactive lab experiences to the virtual environment allowing faculty to select those labs most relevant to their students' learning. The labs themselves are not customizable by instructors, but the breadth of labs provided creates a valuable digital resource for online learning as well as to supplement or prepare for on campus experiences. Access to a breadth of lab experiences and technology not available in many classroom labs supports student learning.

Labster provides interactive online labs with strong scores in efficacy, functionality, and systems capabilities. The Product Advisory Board welcomes the additional features provided to be available in Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. These will make the product even more suitable for diverse contexts.

As Labster expands, additional focus in research and functionality could address customization and equity. Meeting everyone's needs will - most likely - require some kind of personalization and/or customization of materials and application.

Last evaluated
Reviewed with Rubric v1
Last evaluated
Reviewed with Rubric v1

Overall

Labster provides a comprehensive collection of interactive lab experiences to the virtual environment allowing faculty to select those labs most relevant to their students' learning. The labs themselves are not customizable by instructors, but the breadth of labs provided creates a valuable digital resource for online learning as well as to supplement or prepare for on campus experiences. Access to a breadth of lab experiences and technology not available in many classroom labs supports student learning.

Labster provides interactive online labs with strong scores in efficacy, functionality, and systems capabilities. The Product Advisory Board welcomes the additional features provided to be available in Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. These will make the product even more suitable for diverse contexts.

As Labster expands, additional focus in research and functionality could address customization and equity. Meeting everyone's needs will - most likely - require some kind of personalization and/or customization of materials and application.

Last evaluated
Reviewed with Rubric v1

Equity

2.5 / 5
Total Equity Rating
Existence and quality of product attributes that promote equitable outcomes for African American/Black, LatinX, Indigenous/Native American, Asian American, Pacific Islander and Southeast Asian, and Alaskan Native students, poverty-affected students, and first-generation students.

Labster provides interactive online labs (desktop & VR) which are case-based. Research is being conducted with a focus on learning outcomes and can easily be expanded into investigating equity topics, etc. Labster seems open to revising content to be more inclusive based on student feedback (e.g., Pate, Amy L. (2020) "Diverse Avatars and Inclusive Narratives in Virtual Reality Biology Simulations," The Emerging Learning Design Journal: Vol. 7 : Iss. 1 , Article 4)

While there is the capability to decide which Labster simulations to use (including new mini lessons as of Fall 2020), they can't be customized in any way. Research needs to be extended to include other authors and contexts.

Equity

2.5 / 5
Total Equity Rating
Existence and quality of product attributes that promote equitable outcomes for African American/Black, LatinX, Indigenous/Native American, Asian American, Pacific Islander and Southeast Asian, and Alaskan Native students, poverty-affected students, and first-generation students.

Labster provides interactive online labs (desktop & VR) which are case-based. Research is being conducted with a focus on learning outcomes and can easily be expanded into investigating equity topics, etc. Labster seems open to revising content to be more inclusive based on student feedback (e.g., Pate, Amy L. (2020) "Diverse Avatars and Inclusive Narratives in Virtual Reality Biology Simulations," The Emerging Learning Design Journal: Vol. 7 : Iss. 1 , Article 4)

While there is the capability to decide which Labster simulations to use (including new mini lessons as of Fall 2020), they can't be customized in any way. Research needs to be extended to include other authors and contexts.

2.5 / 5
Total Equity Rating
Accessibility
Unavailable
Design
Language
Learning Activities
Outcomes
Student representation
Student supports

Efficacy

5 / 5
Total Efficacy Rating
Existence and quality of research that supports a product's effectiveness in improving student learning outcomes.

Of all four categories, efficacy is among the highest rated for Labster and demonstrates the company's dedication to evidence-based approaches. Labster provides well-written research articles that include literature review and overviews of research design. These articles could be used as templates for other institutions to conduct similar research.

At this time, Labster is encouraged to continue its current dedication to efficacy research and expand as its user base grows. As the product is used by more institutions in diverse contexts, additional case studies can be conducted (e.g., target audiences, cultures) and other topics (e.g., equity) can be investigated.

Efficacy

5 / 5
Total Efficacy Rating
Existence and quality of research that supports a product's effectiveness in improving student learning outcomes.

Of all four categories, efficacy is among the highest rated for Labster and demonstrates the company's dedication to evidence-based approaches. Labster provides well-written research articles that include literature review and overviews of research design. These articles could be used as templates for other institutions to conduct similar research.

At this time, Labster is encouraged to continue its current dedication to efficacy research and expand as its user base grows. As the product is used by more institutions in diverse contexts, additional case studies can be conducted (e.g., target audiences, cultures) and other topics (e.g., equity) can be investigated.

5 / 5
Total Efficacy Rating
Case Studies
Evidence Across Institution Types
Research design support
Rigorous Methodologies
Third-Party Efficacy Research

Functionality

3.5 / 5
Total Functionality Rating
Existence and quality of product attributes that relate to instructional design and user experience.

Labster received high ratings in most criteria in the functionality category. In particular, the strong alignment with learning outcomes, integration with LMS, and support of evidence-based teaching practices stand out.

Within the functionality category, Labster received lower ratings for customization and collaboration. Considering the product's supplemental role in the overall curriculum, these functions can easily be handled within a LMS.

Functionality

3.5 / 5
Total Functionality Rating
Existence and quality of product attributes that relate to instructional design and user experience.

Labster received high ratings in most criteria in the functionality category. In particular, the strong alignment with learning outcomes, integration with LMS, and support of evidence-based teaching practices stand out.

Within the functionality category, Labster received lower ratings for customization and collaboration. Considering the product's supplemental role in the overall curriculum, these functions can easily be handled within a LMS.

3.5 / 5
Total Functionality Rating
Adaptivity
Collaboration
Customization
Enables evidence-base teaching practices
Learner Guidance
Measurement and Structure
Usability

Systems Capabilities

4 / 5
Total Systems Capabilities Rating
Technical components that indicate systems compatibility, ease of implementation, and data management capabilities.

Labster received strong ratings for most criteria in the systems capability category. In particular, the access to learner data (including dashboards) and course administration/integration with LMS are strong points.

Within the systems category, Labster received lower ratings under the criteria of content management. As the user base and contexts expand, additional content might need to be created or shared within existing simulations to meet various needs.

Systems Capabilities

4 / 5
Total Systems Capabilities Rating
Technical components that indicate systems compatibility, ease of implementation, and data management capabilities.

Labster received strong ratings for most criteria in the systems capability category. In particular, the access to learner data (including dashboards) and course administration/integration with LMS are strong points.

Within the systems category, Labster received lower ratings under the criteria of content management. As the user base and contexts expand, additional content might need to be created or shared within existing simulations to meet various needs.

4 / 5
Total Systems Capabilities Rating
Content Management
Course Administration
Data Access

CourseGateway Reviews

Product reviews are performed by our Product Advisory Board, an independent panel of educators and practitioners.

Our product advisory board

CourseGateway Reviews

Product reviews are performed by our Product Advisory Board, an independent panel of educators and practitioners.

Our product advisory board
Support
Email for Faculty
Email for Student
Instructional Design / Course Development Services
Technology/Platform Integration
Text/Chat for Faculty
Text/Chat for Student
Virtual Faculty Training/Onboarding
Courses
Introductory Anatomy & Physiology
Introductory General Biology
Introductory General Chemistry
Introductory Physics
Disciplines
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
LMS Integrations
Blackboard
Brightspace
Canvas
Moodle
Sakai
Schoology
Standards Integrations
IMS Global LTI Tool Provider
Product Features
Formative Assessments
Hints and Feedback
Interactive
Native Learning Activities
Native Learning Content
Native Learning Outcomes
Progress Tracking (Instructor)
Progress Tracking (Student)

How CourseGateway Reviews Products

Reviews are established through an evaluation process applied to each courseware product.

Learn more

How CourseGateway Reviews Products

Reviews are established through an evaluation process applied to each courseware product.

Learn more