How Labster’s Core Learning Architecture Enhances the Student Learning Experience

One of the consistently discussed challenges in education is how to keep students truly engaged in their learning. When students are disengaged, they don’t learn as much. 

Learning design focuses on creating educational experiences that engage students and holistically meet their diverse needs. In this blog, we’ll explore how Labster integrates innovative technology with proven learning principles to enhance student academic outcomes through immersive learning. 

What is Learning Design? 

Learning design is much more than creating educational content. It's about designing experiences that are engaging, effective, and tailored to learners' diverse needs. This process involves creating connections between cognitive and emotional processes, which learners are not only understanding but also engaging in the content.

Mike Ulanski, Senior Learning Experience Designer at Labster, collaborates with subject matter experts, instructional designers, and developers to create immersive simulations that enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. Mike highlights that while technology is evolving at breakneck speed, the human brain hasn’t changed nearly as fast. It still processes information much the same way it has for decades. That's why it’s crucial to bridge the gap between cutting-edge tech and proven learning strategies and principles to create meaningful connections.

This is especially relevant in today’s world, where organizations are continuously adapting their internal learning processes to develop emerging technologies. Labster’s approach to learning design reflects this reality by using laboratory simulation as a tool to support student learning.

Labster’s Mission in Empowering Students

One of Labster’s most significant goals is to equip educators with immersive tools to deliver high-quality education to empower struggling students. Labster is working on breaking down the traditional education barriers to learning.

Mike pointed out that, historically, quality education was something only a select few had access to. But at Labster, we’re changing that. We believe that by making education both accessible and engaging, anyone, anywhere, can and should have the opportunity to learn. Labster’s virtual labs bring subjects like biology, chemistry, and physics to life through immersive 3D simulations. This allows students to engage in laboratory activities that were once limited to in-person learning.

Universal Design for Learning

One core principle of Labster’s learning philosophy is Universal Design for Learning (UDL). According to research, UDL is a framework designed to support students’ diversity principles in inclusive education settings. At Labster, UDL is about designing flexible learning environments that accommodate different learning preferences, which allows students to engage with the content in ways that work best for them.

Mike pointed out that “sometimes it takes more than one approach for an idea to really click. By offering diverse ways to engage with material—whether it’s auditory, visual, read/write, or hands-on—Labster helps students explore concepts from different angles until they truly understand. 'The more autonomy you give learners to choose how they engage,'” Mike adds, “the more empowered they feel to take charge of their own learning and make meaningful connections.”

Core Learning Architecture at Labster

The keystone for Labster’s learning design is a three-part learning architecture that takes students through the stages of acquiring, practicing, and applying knowledge. We’ve also included actual applications of the steps in Labster’s Balancing Equations: Mastering the process and Synthesis Reactions: Unraveling mysteries in environmental chemistry simulations!

1. Know it

The first step begins with delivering the central knowledge. This is where students are introduced to the key concepts they need to know. Labster developed engaging teaching methods from science educators that allow students to learn actively. 

Example: In Labster’s Balancing Equations: Mastering the process simulation, the virtual assistant Dr. One will introduce the concept of balancing an equation with molecule images. Students will engage with the visualization of molecules that help them use their preexisting knowledge of math to answer the question. 

2. Do it

The second step is when the students get to practice what they have learned. Labster’s simulations provide interactive exercises, such as balancing chemical equations or performing biological experiments. “It’s like learning to ride a bike,” Mike said. “You have to practice all the discrete skills like balancing, turning, breaking, over and over, before you can ride confidently.”

Example: This step requires students to apply what they have learned in balancing equations to real practice questions, including a more complex question without the molecule models.

3. Apply it

Finally, students are asked to take what they have learned and apply it to a real-world scenario. Labster’s simulation engages students by immersing them in realistic environments where they can solve problems using the skills and knowledge they have acquired.

Example: Students will be asked to apply what they have learned from the previous simulation to the Synthesis Reactions: Unraveling mysteries in environmental chemistry simulation. Students are on a mission to discover the reason behind the purple smoke coming out from a volcano. This step requires students to fully understand how to balance equations and what kinds of chemical equations are synthesis reactions in order to solve the real-life situation of a chemical reaction. 

The learning architecture is designed to take learners beyond rote memorization, by providing opportunities for learners to master their skills through engaging practice and apply their knowledge in practical, real world settings.

“Labster is a great platform for STEM students to visualize difficult concepts and build on that knowledge to understand more complex ideas. It reinforces concepts for me and boosts my grades,” said Felesha Jack, a biomedical science major at the University of the Southern Caribbean.

After learning through the simulation with three steps from Labster’s learning architecture, students will be able to understand the chemical reactions and balancing equations comprehensively. This knowledge will be applicable for students to apply to any other chemical reactions in various situations.

Final Thoughts

Imagine your students not just sitting through a lesson, but fully immersed with bright eyes, asking questions, and making connections on their own. Labster’s learning design sparks this kind of active engagement by combining technology and proven educational best practices to create immersive and effective learning experiences. By incorporating UDL and the three-step learning architecture, Labster empowers students not only to absorb new knowledge, but to build mastery through practice and apply that knowledge in real-world contexts.