The non-traditional student in the lab: needs and stumbling blocks

In Flanders (Belgium), the number of non-traditional students in higher education is relatively low. The government stimulates a flexible learning environment in order to increase the number of students in higher education. Especially in the field of science and engineering there are few non-traditional students and probably the presence of mandatory laboratory work is one of the causes. A survey research project was done to collect data about the needs and stumbling blocks for non-traditional students when laboratory work in the field of science and engineering is included in their curriculum. This study reveals that 44% of these non-traditional students have problems in attending the mandatory laboratories. It can be concluded that a valuable, flexible alternative for laboratory work is essential. Therefore we propose laboratory immersion as an appropriate method. Laboratory immersion is a short, very intensive on-campus laboratory session preceded by and concluded with distance learning activities. In practice, the work is consciously divided into three phases: a pre-lab phase at home focusing on preparation, an on-site laboratory session for the hands-on activities and a remote post-lab for reflection and reporting. In this way the strict attendance at the campus is considerably reduced and the student has the opportunity to acquire substantial laboratory skills. The survey research is done to know the specific needs of these non-traditional students. We report in this article on the results of this survey research. This research revealed that students, before they participate in a laboratory immersion, have some objectives against this new working method. They indicated the following elements as essential components of an appropriate laboratory immersion: teamwork, frequent contacts with regular students, good coaching by the staff, a comparable study time, an increased flexibility and an emphasis on hands-on work. These elements were incorporated in three pilot projects: microbiology, instrumental chemical analysis and physics. These laboratory immersions were tested during the academic year 2009-2010 and the results will be validated and submitted for a future publication.status: publishe