Creating Engaged and Active Learning Through Collaborative Online Lab Experiences

This innovative practice paper describes how we implement active learning through collaborative online laboratory experiences as a work in progress. The goal of our project is to develop and implement various instructional tools and learning strategies in order to improve the quality of electrical engineering online labs. The applied strategies include integration of open-ended design experiences into lab work, accomplishing virtual teamwork, creating an online learning community and overcoming the isolation, incorporation of pre-lab simulations and videos. We believe that active learning labs will help students develop a deeper understanding, build self-confidence and improve critical thinking skills while increasing the sense of belonging in the field of engineering.