MiLab: a Virtual Science Laboratory for Malawian Secondary Schools

Virtual science laboratories have emerged as a practical addition to traditional classroom laboratories. While reducing the cost of lab equipment is one of their benefits, other factors related to their use, such as Internet connectivity or the need for specialised hardware, make them expensive to implement, especially in developing nations. Unlike other resource-intense virtual labs, this paper describes the development of an interactive virtual laboratory application that works in a resource-constrained setting. The application primarily functions offline and on low-end mobile devices, making it suitable for teaching and learning in resource-constrained contexts. The study adopted an agile methodology, collaborating with teachers and secondary students to design and enhance the software features at each stage and iteration. The application was tested and validated by a purposefully sampled group of secondary school students and teachers, and the results showed the application has the potential to curb the shortage of science laboratories since it works well on low-end devices and is tailored for the Malawian Secondary School curriculum. The evaluation of the study demonstrated students using the application could acquire procedural knowledge and the ability to explain processes and apply concepts, all of which enhanced their performance in a physical lab.