Virtual labs give University of Phoenix students hands-on experience
From the moment modern technology began to permeate mainstream society with the personal computer (PC), there’s been no looking back. Technology has grown by leaps and bounds from the inception of the PC, making way for the birth of the Internet, cell phones, video games and more, not to mention an entire industry. And with the new industry of Information Technology came many jobs and many more opportunities. And because of the growing demand, colleges began to offer degree programs.
One thing that can be said about the technology sector is that things happen fast. If you were to buy the latest gadget, chances are it would be considered obsolete within a year. Similar to technological innovations, an IT degree program can become obsolete rather quickly as well.
To help keep up with the times, IT degree programs at University of Phoenix incorporate tutorials and virtual labs into the curriculum. These virtual labs help students in a number of ways, mainly to give them a hands-on approach to learning concepts.
How virtual labs and tutorials work
University of Phoenix uses four different resources for tutorials and virtual labs. They are TestOut LabSim, Visual Logic, ToolWire and Element K. Students access the tutorials and virtual labs through eCampus, the online portal where students access assignments and course materials.
If students are learning how to hook up computers to a network in an office setting, they might have to complete a TestOut LabSim assignment. They’d enter the simulation that recreates a hardware environment, where students actually work hands-on with the tangible components in a virtual setting. To complete the assignment, students would need to select the correct expansion card, connect it to the motherboard in the computer tower, and then connect the computer tower to the network via an Ethernet cord.
The following is an explanation of each resource that IT students would use while pursuing a degree at University of Phoenix.
TestOut LabSim
This is a virtual lab that helps students practice real-world tasks. There are two types of simulations: one for operating systems and one for hardware. Labs that involve the operating systems setting take place in a simulated desktop environment.
Hardware simulation labs (like the example used above) have three on-screen components that include the scenario, where students find instructions for the tasks; the shelf¸ where students have the different “physical” components to choose from; and the workbench, where students manipulate the hardware components to complete the task.
You can view a tutorial of a TestOut LabSim at labsimonline.com/video/demos/labs/labs.htm
Visual Logic
This tool helps IT beginners learn to create flowcharts for programming purposes. You can view a tutorial at visuallogic.org/VLTutorial.html
ToolWire
ToolWire simulations center on specific computer programs instead of hardware. They provide a remote connection to a desktop or serve that allow students to access software they may not own.
Element K tutorials
Element K tutorials are Web-based, step-by-step tutorials with audio, text, visuals and quizzes. Element K tutorials are similar to a library, where faculty members can pick and choose what tutorials they’d like to include in their courses.
Advantages of online simulations
To most people, virtual labs and simulations would seem less effective than physical simulations where all components are physically in front of you. On the other hand, one could make the argument that online simulations and tutorials are more effective than physical labs for three reasons.
The first is that virtual labs do not require any setup and you can dive in much quicker. The second is that virtual labs are capable of reaching more students than physical labs because they are not limited by the number of students per lab space. Lastly, you can update labs more frequently. This is probably the most significant reason because in the world of technology, everything seems to become obsolete rather quickly. With up-to-date material, students who use virtual labs can gain hands-on experience with the latest hardware.
