THE PERFORMANCE OF VIRTUAL LABORATORY OF MEMBRANE SYNTHESIS VIA PHASE INVERSION AS PRE-PRACTICAL GUIDELINE IN A SEPARATION CHEMISTRY COURSE

Abstract

Learning in the twenty-first century has brought about changes in educational approaches, one of which is practical learning, which can be undertaken both physically and virtually. The development of virtual laboratory (VL) has been widely used in secondary school teaching, notably science education. However, the development of VL specifically for university-level education remains quite limited. However, in some practical disciplines, such as membrane-based separation chemistry, both instructors and students face restrictions in equipment and resources. As a result, the goal of this study is to create a VL for membrane synthesis practicum utilizing the phase inversion approach that can also be utilized in separation chemical practicum. In addition, the researchers assessed the amount of legitimacy and user response to VL media, specifically among students. The first stage of the ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) begins with a needs analysis (via interviews) with separation chemistry lecturers to identify areas for development in the VL and to ensure that the VL development plan aligns with the practical course objectives. The researcher used feedback from the course lecturer during the design stage, namely while gathering the material and presentation of VL to create the storyboard. Then, three specialists confirmed the draft I created during the development stage, declaring it highly valid with a proportion more than 85%. Following the revision step of draft I based on the validation results, draft II was created for restricted testing with users (students), and the results revealed a very good response, with more than 90% of students providing feedback ranging from agree to highly agree. Some suggestions for enhancement, particularly the usage of foreign languages in VL, will be considered in the final stage. Thus, the VL can be recommended for use in membrane synthesis experiments in the separation chemistry course.