Abstract & Overview

I am honoured to have been invited to deliver a keynote address at the Virtual Laboratories in ODL Workshop, taking place on 6–7 October 2026.

The invitation provides an important opportunity to contribute to conversations about the changing nature of practical and experiential learning within Open and Distance Learning (ODL) environments.

Laboratory and practical experiences have traditionally been closely associated with physical spaces, specialised equipment and scheduled contact time. The growth of digital, remote and virtual learning environments challenges us to reconsider these assumptions and to ask a broader educational question: How can we design meaningful practical learning experiences when learning is no longer constrained by the physical laboratory or the classroom clock?

My keynote will explore the possibilities presented by virtual and digitally mediated learning environments while also considering the pedagogical questions that should guide their adoption. Technology alone does not create meaningful learning. The challenge is to design experiences that promote active participation, conceptual understanding, inquiry, engagement and authentic application while remaining accessible to learners studying in diverse contexts.

This invitation is particularly meaningful to me because it brings together several areas that underpin my research: science education, digital pedagogy, student engagement, instructional time and the design of flexible learning environments.

I look forward to engaging with researchers, educators and practitioners working at the intersection of science education, practical learning and Open and Distance Learning, and to contributing to discussions about how virtual laboratories can expand—not simply replicate—the possibilities of practical education.