Effective Collaborative Learning through Online Flipped Laboratory amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has a great impact on pharmacy education. Laboratories needed to shift from traditional learning to full online-learning mode. As a result, the flipped online model has been developed as an online tool to accommodate with this online laboratory requirement. Laboratory experiences in an online collaborative format were conducted in pharmaceutical analysis laboratory course in 2020, and 2021. The students learned in online flipped laboratory can use digital technology quite well. They have been able to perform online laboratory effectively. The perspective of student engagement to collaborative learning was developing among group working. Besides, students showed strong positive-attitude to collaborative learning and teamwork. Nonetheless, in comparison with experiment-practice learning, students reflected negative perception of online learning. Thus, virtual facilitation in pre-class learning material is a key of improvement to strengthen students’ engagement and improve psychomotor skills.