PERC 2021 Abstract Detail Page
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| Abstract Title: | Reimagined Virtual Upper-Division Physics Laboratory Experiences in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from User Experience Testing |
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| Abstract: | The rush to online course delivery in response to COVID-19 revealed limitations of commercially available online virtual labs. Existing virtual lab experiences focus on content delivery and generally poorly support student exploration. As well, the effectiveness of virtual labs is not well understood, particularly for specific student populations including Hispanic/Latinx students. To address these issues, educators in the California State University system designed three virtual labs that focus on high impact scientific and mathematical processes, relate to real life events brought about by the pandemic, and are culturally responsive and trauma-informed. This poster shares initial results from educational research focused on student experiences in the new upper-division physics virtual lab. The primary methodology for this research is user experience (UX) testing, an interview-based method in which users (students) are asked to talk aloud as they complete tasks (virtual course/lab). Led by a student researcher, UX testing was selected to empower students to have a safe space to share their experiences with another peer to gather feedback to improve/continue virtual course/lab structure. UX testing is effective with small numbers of participants; five users is ideal for discovering problems in an existing system because the probability of users encountering a usability issue is 31% according to an average problem frequency and can find 85% of the problems (Sauro 2012). In this study, three of five students interviewed identify as Hispanic/Latinx. UX testing showed a 100% success rate and provided insights connected to course/lab resources, organization, and future approaches to virtual labs. Findings from pre/post surveys on student self-efficacy (Chen, Gully & Eden 2001) and sense of belonging (Floyd-Smith, et al, 2010) are also shared. Student reflections on the method of UX testing show that the research method, itself, contributes to student sense of belonging. |
| Abstract Type: | Contributed Poster Presentation |
| Session Time: | Poster Session 1 Room D |
| Poster Number: | 1D-21 |
Author/Organizer Information | |
| Primary Contact: |
Sejal Kargal California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly SLO) |
| Co-Author(s) and Co-Presenter(s) |
Jane Lehr, California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly SLO) Sara Callori, California State University San Bernardino Frank Gomez, California State University Chancellor's Office Blake Gillespie, California State University Channel Islands Shirley Yap, California State University East Bay |
