Abstract
In the Bachelor Programme of Biomedical Laboratory Analysis at University College
VIA, the students work in a classified microbiology laboratory. This means that they are
not allowed to bring their personal computers into the lab. Until now the students have
used paper based lab instructions and taken notes by hand. Use of tablets in the lab offers
new opportunities. In September 2012, nine tablets were introduced into one of the labs
of the college. Groups of students use the tablets to access documents, watch video
instructions, and to document results and procedures digitally. The objectives of this
project are to develop a technological infrastructure to support students’ work in the lab
and to develop teaching and learning resources. Our research question is: How is teaching
and learning in the laboratory influenced by the tablets and the following multimodal
teaching and learning materials? The empirical part of the project has been documented
through field observations in the lab (in writing and with photos). We have found the
following to be characteristic of the work of the students: the students use the tablets
collaboratively, take more photos than requested, use the video based instructions, use the
internet access, and combine the use of tablets with paper based instructions.