Case Study: Wenatchee Valley College boosts student engagement and study skills with Labster

Biology Simulations Engage Digital Native Students and Improve Study Skills

Wenatchee Valley College, a community college in Washington State, sought engaging digital tools to improve learning outcomes for its asynchronous biology students. Their challenge was to provide effective online lab experiences that would develop critical thinking, conceptual understanding, and collegiate study skills, especially for digital native students. Adjunct Instructor Kyle Hammon turned to Labster's virtual lab simulations to meet this need.

By implementing Labster, the college provided students with accessible, gamified lab simulations that piqued interest and encouraged deeper learning. The solution allowed for trial-and-error, leading to greater knowledge retention and student confidence. Results included high marks in course surveys, with students describing Labster as useful, fun, and engaging. Labster was also credited with helping high school students in the Running Start program quickly mature into collegiate study habits. Instructor Hammon continues to use and recommend Labster for its ability to deliver a quality lab experience in an online setting.

Wenatchee Valley College

Kyle Hammon

Wenatchee Valley College