An Alternative Model for Promoting Collaboration and Teamwork in Remote Online Laboratory

During the pandemic, pre-recorded videos were employed as a possible solution for asynchronous laboratories, but this approach lacked the social aspects critical in online distance learning. An alternative model of a remote online chemistry laboratory was proposed to overcome the shortcomings of video-based laboratories. The model relies on five activities (5A) and five components (5C) to provide students with ample opportunities for sustained online communications and interactions between student-student and student-instructor while forging a sense of belonging in the remote online laboratory. Even without gamification elements, students thought the online laboratory was fun, interesting and relaxing. This paper illustrates the strategic and purposeful use of instructional activities with synchronous collaborative technologies for facilitating active and collaborative learning in a remote online laboratory.