Case Study: University of Northumbria enhances blended learning and student engagement with Labster

University of Northumbria - Customer Case Study

The University of Northumbria, a higher education institution, sought to move beyond passive online learning videos and enhance its science curriculum, particularly when the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a shift to remote teaching. A senior lecturer, Dr. Seth Racey, was interested in more interactive e-learning tools to support students and address the challenge of teaching complex practical techniques that are difficult to scale for large cohorts.

Labster provided a comprehensive library of interactive virtual lab simulations, which the university integrated as a supplement within a new blended learning approach. The simulations were used as pre-lab exercises to prepare students for hands-on sessions and to teach advanced techniques that lack sufficient physical equipment. The vendor, Labster, was adopted across more than 30 science modules. Student feedback was highly positive, with the tool frequently cited as a highlight, and the university successfully maintained steady academic performance grades despite the challenges of remote learning.

University of Northumbria

Seth Racey

Senior Lecturer in Applied Sciences