Course Description

This course allows chemistry educators to update and enrich their experience with online and remote laboratory work. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how to utilise dynamic and accessible lab environments, address common challenges, and learn practical solutions.

Educators can enhance their knowledge by using digital tools and simulations to explore methods to adapt traditional labs for digital setups, remote laboratories, or home-based experiments. This will enable them to create more engaging and effective learning activities.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:

1. Identify tools and methods for virtual and remote labs: Propose software, platforms, and approaches suitable for conducting chemistry experiments in various settings, including online and home-based environments.
2. Utilise interactive lab tools: Demonstrate the ability to use simulations and interactive activities to enhance online and remote chemistry teaching.
3. Enhance student collaboration and engagement: Use strategies for fostering teamwork and critical thinking in online and remote labs.
4. Understand assessment considerations: Identify key elements of evaluating student performance in virtual and remote environments.

Course Highlights

• Hands-On Practice: Gain insights into virtual tools and simulations to explore possibilities for enhancing the understanding of key chemistry concepts.
• Building Teamwork: Apply straightforward strategies to foster peer interaction in remote labs.
• Practical Assessments: Learn simple methods for evaluating student performance in online settings.
• Accessible Activities: Identify ways to make lab experiences inclusive and adaptable for diverse learners.

Course Structure

• Course Information
• Virtual Laboratories and Simulations
• Online and Recorded Laboratory Practices
• Alternative Approaches to Remote Laboratory Work
• Additional Resources
• Final Feedback and Credits

Requirements

This course is intended for higher education chemistry educators, instructional designers, and e-learning professionals who teach remotely or online. Prior experience with virtual laboratory tools or digital platforms is not mandatory. The course welcomes participants with varying levels of familiarity with technology and provides step-by-step guidance and practical insights for all.

Course Staff

Jāzeps Logins

Dr. chem. Jāzeps Logins is the Vice Dean for Studies and an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences at the University of Latvia. With over 30 years of experience in chemistry education and research, he has authored and co-authored several scientific papers and developed over 50 educational materials on STEM teaching methodologies and integrating digital technologies in education. He leads programs for teacher professional development and regularly presents at conferences on STEM education and innovation.

Anete Stīne Teimane

Anete Stīne Teimane is a researcher and lecturer at the University of Latvia in Faculty of Exact sciences and technologies as well as Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences. Actively participating in international and national conferences, Anete Stīne has presented research findings and engaged in academic discussions that advance the understanding of physico-chemical aspects of materials used in nuclear fusion. As a lecturer, Anete Stīne is dedicated to fostering critical thinking and practical skills among students, integrating modern teaching methodologies and digital tools into the learning process. Passionate about academic collaboration and innovation, Anete Stīne continuously contributes to the development of STEM education and research excellence.

Lauma Buša

Lauma Buša is a lecturer and researcher at the Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences of the University of Latvia. Her research focuses on analyzing light stable isotopes in different food products to trace their origin, contributing to a deeper understanding of food authenticity and quality. As an educator, she teaches chemistry-related subjects to students from various disciplines, continuously exploring innovative approaches to make chemistry and natural sciences more engaging and accessible.

Črtomir Podlipnik

Dr. Črtomir Podlipnik is an assistant professor at the University of Ljubljana, specializing in quantum chemical computing, chemoinformatics, and drug design, including SARS-CoV-2 and Ebola inhibitors. He is involved in the ERASMUS+ Mundus Chemoinformatics+ program and serves as the editor and maintainer of the ECTN MOOCs platform. He actively contributes to digital education, computational chemistry, and international biomolecular research projects.

Iwona Maciejowska

Prof. Iwona Maciejowska, a lecturer and researcher at the Department of Chemical Education, is the Deputy Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence Ars Docendi at Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland. She is an editor, author, and co-author of books (15), papers (over 100), and courses for chemistry teachers and academic teaching staff, including a MOOC on the Coursera platform: "Teaching in University Science Laboratories: Developing Good Practice." She is also a co-editor of the Chemistry Teacher International journal and an initiator of the biannual European Variety in University Chemistry Education conference.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What Web Browser Should I Use?
  The Open edX platform works best with current Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari versions.
• Do I Need Any Prior Experience with IT Tools?
  No prior experience is required. The course will introduce all necessary tools and provide step-by-step guidance.
• How Much Time Do I Need to Commit?
  The course takes approximately three hours to complete. You can work independently and revisit all materials for further study or review.
• Will I Receive a Certificate?
  This course only provides a formal certificate upon completion. However, the real value lies in the practical knowledge and skills you’ll gain, which you can directly apply in your teaching practice. We encourage active participation and completion of the final survey to enhance your learning experience.