Safety competency in an online introductory chemistry laboratory course

Emily Faulconer, Cheryl Kam

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

An uptick in online enrollments at higher institutions in recent years serves as the driving force behind an increase in the number of science courses available online. The shift to online science courses introduced anew laboratory environment vastly different from the traditional laboratory, giving rise to doubts on how safe these non-traditional laboratories are with the safety competency of these online students uncertain. This study aims to investigate the safety competency of students who worked hands-on with mail-order laboratory kits in an introductory chemistry course. A survey to measure students’ safety knowledge, attitudes, and practice, as well as a prelab assessment were used for data collection. Most students displayed competency in safety awareness, hazard communication, knowledge of emergency equipment and procedures, and safe chemical use, but deficiencies in their knowledge were evident in several areas.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-11
Number of pages11
JournalQuarterly Review of Distance Education
Volume24
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 2023
Externally publishedYes

Cite this