This study examines students’ reactions
to the virtual biosciences laboratory developed in Second Life® (SL)
at the University of East London. Final year undergraduates and
masters students studying biotechnology took part in a trial of
a virtual Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) experiment in Second
Life and evaluated their experience by anonymous questionnaire.
Learning gains were measured at various points during the study
using pre- and post-tests, and interaction with demonstrators was
monitored and compared during the real life (RL) practical. Both
groups showed a significant increase in learning gain over the
pre- and post-tests, although no difference in gains between the
two groups was detected. However, students who conducted the PCR
experiment in SL required significantly less demonstrator assistance
during the subsequent RL practical. The SL practical was well received
by students, with 92% of participants reporting that they would
like to use the system again and many requesting other experiments
to be made available in this manner in the future.
