Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Adoption of Virtual Laboratories in India, Learning Assessments and Roles of ICT Skill Learning Tools

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Education and Information Technologies

Synonyms

ICT; Learning tools; Pedagogies; University education; Virtual labs

Introduction

In developing countries, literacy is crucial key for socioeconomic growth, and for achieving sustainable development goals, education platforms enabling remote or classroom didactic education must impact millions of students and teachers irrespective of geographic or infrastructure barriers. With the use of ICT in didactic laboratories, over the last three decades, several online educational tools have promoted enhanced learning and teaching experiences across communities of users (Youssef and Dahmani 2008; White 2008). Addressing the challenges of inquiry-based science learning, some of these ICT tools focus on augmenting skill training and supporting lecture courses with easily accessible online tools that can deliver laboratory skills through computer-based interfaces (Chu 1999; Harward et al. 2008; Diwakar et al. 2011; Heradio 2016). Virtual laboratories have also been presented as...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 799.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 999.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Achuthan K, Murali SS (2015) A comparative study of educational laboratories from cost & learning effectiveness perspective. Springer, Cham, pp 143–153

    Google Scholar 

  • Achuthan K, Sreelatha KS, Surendran S et al (2011) The VALUE @ Amrita Virtual Labs Project: using web technology to provide virtual laboratory access to students. In: 2011 IEEE global humanitarian technology conference. IEEE, pp 117–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Achuthan K, Bose LS, Francis S et al (2014) Improving perception of invisible phenomena in undergraduate physics education using ICT. In: 2014 2nd international conference on information and communication technology (ICoICT). IEEE, pp 226–231

    Google Scholar 

  • Achuthan K, Francis P, Diwakar S et al (2017) Augmented reflective learning and knowledge retention perceived among students in classrooms involving virtual laboratories. Educ Inf Technol. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-017-9626-x

  • Achuthan K, Kolil VK, Diwakar S (2018) Using virtual laboratories in chemistry classrooms as interactive tools towards modifying alternate conceptions in molecular symmetry. Educ Inf Technol. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-018-9727-1

  • Alkhaldi T, Pranata I, Athauda RI (2016) A review of contemporary virtual and remote laboratory implementations: observations and findings. J Comput Educ 3:329–351. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40692-016-0068-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson P (2007) What is Web 2.0? Ideas, technologies and implications for education, JISC Technology and Standards Watch, Feb. 2007

    Google Scholar 

  • Bijlani K, Krishnamoorthy S, Rangan V, Venkataraman R (2012) A-VIEW: context-aware mobile e-learning for the masses. Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg, pp 1–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Bocconi S, Dini S, Ferlino L et al (2007) ICT educational tools and visually impaired students: different answers to different accessibility needs. In: Universal access in human-computer interaction. Applications and services, pp 491–500. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-73283-9_55

  • Bocconi S, Kampylis PG, Punie Y (2013) Innovating teaching and learning practices: key elements for developing creative classrooms in Europe. eLearning paper special edn, pp 8–21. https://doi.org/10.2791/90566

  • Chu KC (1999) What are the benefits of a virtual laboratory for student learning? In: HERDSA annual international conference, pp 12–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Chuttur M (2009) Overview of the technology acceptance model: origins, developments and future directions. Sprouts Work Pap Inf Syst 9:1–23. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf001443p

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collis B, Moonen J (2001) Flexible learning in a digital world: experiences and expectations. Kogan Page, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Diwakar S, Achuthan K, Nedungadi P (2010) Biotechnology virtual labs – integrating wet-lab techniques and theoretical learning for enhanced learning at universities. In: 2010 international conference on data storage and data engineering. IEEE, pp 10–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Diwakar S, Achuthan K, Nedungadi P, Nair B (2011) Enhanced facilitation of biotechnology education in developing nations via virtual labs: analysis, implementation and case-studies. Int J Comput Theory Eng 3:1–8. https://doi.org/10.7763/IJCTE.2011.V3.275

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diwakar S, Achuthan K, Nedungadi P, Nair B (2012) Biotechnology virtual labs: facilitating laboratory access anytime-anywhere for classroom education. In: Agbo E (ed) Innovations in biotechnology. London: Intechopen, pp 379–398

    Google Scholar 

  • Diwakar S, Parasuram H, Medini C et al (2014) Complementing neurophysiology education for developing countries via cost-effective virtual labs: case studies and classroom scenarios. J Undergrad Neurosci Educ 12:A130–A139

    Google Scholar 

  • Diwakar S, Kumar D, Radhamani R et al (2015) Role of ICT-enabled virtual laboratories in biotechnology education: case studies on blended and remote learning. In: 2015 international conference on interactive collaborative learning (ICL). IEEE, pp 915–921

    Google Scholar 

  • Diwakar S, Kumar D, Radhamani R, Sasidharakurup H, Nizar N, Achuthan K, Nedungadi P, Raman R, Nair B (2016a) Complementing Education via Virtual Labs: Implementation and Deployment of Remote Laboratories and Usage Analysis in South Indian Villages. Int J Online Biomed Eng 12:8–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Diwakar S. et al. (2016b) Assessing Students and Teachers Experience on Simulation and Remote Biotechnology Virtual Labs: A Case Study with a Light Microscopy Experiment. In: Vincenti G., Bucciero A., Vaz de Carvalho C. (eds) E-Learning, E-Education, and Online Training. eLEOT 2015. Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering, 160. Springer, Cham

    Google Scholar 

  • Donovan MS, Bransford JD, Pellegrino JW. (1999) How People Learn: Bridging Research and Practice., ed., Committee on Learning Research and Educational Practice Committee on Learning Research and Educational Practice Washington, DC: The National Academies Press https://doi.org/10.17226/9457

  • Eggen PD, Kauchak DP (1988) Strategies for teachers: teaching content and thinking skills, 2nd edn. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs

    Google Scholar 

  • Fathima S (2013) Challenges of ICT in teaching learning process. Int J Eng Sci 2:51–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeman J, Nagarajan A, Parangan M et al (2012) Remote triggered photovoltaic solar cell lab: effective implementation strategies for virtual labs. In: 2012 IEEE international conference on technology enhanced education (ICTEE). IEEE, pp 1–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Guma A, Haolader FA, Khushi M (2013) The role of ICT to make teaching-learning effective in higher institutions of learning in Uganda. Int J Innov Res Sci Eng Technol 2:4061–4073

    Google Scholar 

  • Harward VJ, Del Alamo JA, Lerman SR et al (2008) The iLab shared architecture: a web services infrastructure to build communities of Internet accessible laboratories. Proc IEEE 96:931–950. https://doi.org/10.1109/JPROC.2008.921607

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heradio R, de la Torre L, Galan D, Cabrerizo FJ, Herrera-Viedma E, Dormido S. (2016). Virtual and remote labs in education: A bibliometric analysis. Comput. Educ. 98, 14–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2016.03.010

  • Herga NR, Cagran B, Dinevski D (2016) Virtual laboratory in the role of dynamic visualisation for better understanding of chemistry in primary school. Eurasia J Math Sci Technol Educ 12:593–608. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2016.1224a

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Houts PS, Doak CC, Doak LG, Loscalzo MJ (2006) The role of pictures in improving health communication: a review of research on attention, comprehension, recall, and adherence. Patient Educ Couns 61:173–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2005.05.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang C (2003) Changing learning with new interactive and media-rich instruction environments: virtual labs case study report. Comput Med Imaging Graph 27:157–164. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0895-6111(02)00089-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar D, Singanamala H, Achuthan K et al (2014) Implementing a remote-triggered light microscope. In: Proceedings of the 2014 international conference on interdisciplinary advances in applied computing – ICONIAAC ’14. ACM Press, New York, pp 1–6

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar D, Sasidharakurup H, Radhamani R et al (2015) Mobile learning and biotechnology education via remote labs: deployment-based study on real time shared resources. In: 2015 international conference on interactive mobile communication technologies and learning (IMCL). IEEE, pp 39–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar D, Achuthan K, Nair B, Diwakar S (2017) Online bio-robotics labs: open hardware models and architecture. In: International conference on robotics and automation for humanitarian applications, RAHA 2016 – conference proceedings

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee Y-H, Hsieh Y-C, Hsu C-N (2011) Adding innovation diffusion theory to the technology acceptance model: supporting employees’ intentions to use e-learning systems. Educ Technol Soc 14:124–137

    Google Scholar 

  • Ma J, Nickerson JV (2006) Hands-on, simulated, and remote laboratories. ACM Comput Surv 38:7-es. https://doi.org/10.1145/1132960.1132961

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McClean P, Johnson C, Rogers R et al (2005) Molecular and cellular biology animations: development and impact on student learning. Cell Biol Educ 4:169–179. https://doi.org/10.1187/cbe.04-07-0047

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MHRD (2016) Human Resource Development Challenges. In: MHRD. http://mhrd.gov.in/human-resource-development-challenges

  • Murray JD. (2002). Mathematical biology. I, Introduction. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, ISBN: 0387952233

    Google Scholar 

  • Nair B, Krishnan R, Nizar N et al (2012) Role of ICT-enabled visualization-oriented virtual laboratories in Universities for enhancing biotechnology education – VALUE initiative: case study and impacts. FormaMente 7:209–229

    Google Scholar 

  • Nedungadi P, Haridas M, Raman R (2015) Blending concept maps with online labs (OLabs): case study with biological science. In: ACM international conference proceeding series, 10–13 Aug, pp 186–190. https://doi.org/10.1145/2791405.2791521

  • Noor-Ul-Amin S. (2013) An effective use of ICT for education and learning by drawing on worldwide knowledge, research and experience: ICT as a change agent for education (A Literature review). Sch. J. Educ. 2, 38–45. Available at: http://www.scholarly-journals.com/SJE [Accessed October 13, 2019]

  • Nutakki C, Vijayan A, Sasidharakurup H et al (2017) Low-cost robotic articulator as an online education tool: design, deployment and usage. In: International conference on robotics and automation for humanitarian applications, RAHA 2016 – conference proceedings

    Google Scholar 

  • Parasuram H, Nair B, Achuthan K, Diwakar S (2011) Taking Project Tiger to the classroom: a virtual lab case study. In: Abraham A, Lloret Mauri J, Buford JF et al (eds) Advances in computing and communications. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, Berlin/Heidelberg, pp 337–348

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Radhamani R, Sasidharakurup H, Kumar D et al (2014) Explicit interactions by users form a critical element in virtual labs aiding enhanced education – a case study from biotechnology virtual labs. In: 2014 IEEE sixth international conference on technology for education, pp 110–115. https://doi.org/10.1109/T4E.2014.37

  • Radhamani R, Sasidharakurup H, Kumar D et al (2015) Role of biotechnology simulation and remotely triggered virtual labs in complementing university education. In: Interactive mobile communication technologies and learning (IMCL), 2015 international conference on. IEEE, pp 28–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Radhamani R, Nizar N, Kumar D et al (2016) Low cost neuro-inspired robots for sustainable laboratory education. In: Proceedings of IEEE international conference on robotics and automation for humanitarian applications

    Google Scholar 

  • Raman R, Nedungadi P, Achuthan K, Diwakar S (2011) Integrating collaboration and accessibility for deploying virtual labs using VLCAP. Int Trans J Eng Manag Appl Sci Technol 2:547–560

    Google Scholar 

  • Raman R, Achuthan K, Nedungadi P et al (2014) The VLAB OER experience: modeling potential-adopter student acceptance. IEEE Trans Educ 57:235–241. https://doi.org/10.1109/TE.2013.2294152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sajid M, Ziatdinov R, Griffiths C (2013) Introduction to computer animation and its possible educational applications. In: Gallova M, Guncaga J, Chanasova Z, Chovancova MM (eds) New challenges in education: retrospection of history of education to the future in the interdisciplinary dialogue among didactics of various school subjects of various school subjects. Verbum, Ružomberok, pp 117–205

    Google Scholar 

  • Sheorey T, Gupta V (2011) Effective virtual laboratory content generation and accessibility for enhanced skill development through ICT. Proc Comput Sci Inf 12:33–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Sousa N, Alves GR, Gericota MG (2010) An integrated reusable remote laboratory to complement electronics teaching. IEEE Trans Learn Technol 3:265–271. https://doi.org/10.1109/TLT.2009.51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sridharan A. et al. (2016) Implementing a Web-Based Simulator with Explicit Neuron and Synapse Models to Aid Experimental Neuroscience and Theoretical Biophysics Education. In: Lobiyal D., Mohapatra D., Nagar A., Sahoo M. (eds) Proceedings of the International Conference on Signal, Networks, Computing, and Systems. Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering, vol 396. Springer, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava S, Özdemir V, Ray S et al (2013) E-learning booster in developing world. Nature 501:316. https://doi.org/10.1038/501316a

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Svoboda J, Passmore C (2013) The strategies of modeling in biology education. Sci Educ 22:119–142. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-011-9425-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Venkatesh V, Morris MG, Davis GB, Davis FD (2003) User acceptance of information technology: toward a unified view. MIS Q 27:425. https://doi.org/10.2307/30036540

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vijayan A, Nutakki C, Kumar D et al (2017) Enabling a freely accessible open source remotely controlled robotic articulator with a neuro-inspired control algorithm. Int J Online Eng 13:61–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vilaseca-Requena J, Torrent-Sellens J, Jiménez-Zarco AI (2007) ICT use in marketing as innovation success factor. Eur J Innov Manag 10:268–288. https://doi.org/10.1108/14601060710745297

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White GK (2008) ICT trends in education. Eur Sci J 1–25 https://research.acer.edu.au/digital_learning/2/

  • Youssef AB, Dahmani M (2008) The Impact of ICT on Student Performance in Higher Education: Direct Effects,Indirect Effects and Organisational Change. RUSC:Universities and Knowledge Society Journal, Fundació Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, 5(1), 45–56. halshs-00936560

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The work in this chapter derives ideas and inspiration from the Chancellor of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi. The work was funded by Virtual Labs Phase I, II and III of Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India and by Embracing The World Research-for-a-cause initiative.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kollam, Kerala, India

    Shyam Diwakar & Bipin Nair

  2. Amrita Center for Cyber Security Systems and Networks, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kollam, Kerala, India

    Krishnashree Achuthan

Authors
  1. Shyam Diwakar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Krishnashree Achuthan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Bipin Nair
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shyam Diwakar .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Arthur Tatnall

Section Editor information

  1. School of Information Management, Victoria University of Wellington https://www.victoria.ac.nz/sim

    Sam Goundar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Diwakar, S., Achuthan, K., Nair, B. (2020). Adoption of Virtual Laboratories in India, Learning Assessments and Roles of ICT Skill Learning Tools. In: Tatnall, A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Education and Information Technologies. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-10576-1_204

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation