Outputs
Project outputs, reports, and scientific publications
Publications & Scientific Papers
Published in Advances in Physiology Education, this paper presents a comprehensive blueprint for standardizing biology laboratory curricula across European undergraduate health education programs, addressing key challenges in STEM education harmonization.
Project Reports & Deliverables
Policy Report
This policy report introduces the Virtual Laboratories and associated pedagogical toolkit developed through the VHEalthLab project, presents early implementation insights from partner countries, and informs national and European policy makers of opportunities for curricular adoption. The report demonstrates the pedagogical value, practical feasibility, and contribution to equity and digital competence development in higher education, while proposing strategic recommendations for standardized guidelines, teacher training, infrastructure funding, and integration into national STEM education strategies.
Transnational Report
This transnational report examines the current use of virtual laboratories (VLs) in STEM and health education across four European countries: Cyprus, Greece, Spain and Romania. It forms part of a broader European initiative aimed at strengthening digital capacity and inclusive teaching practices in experimental science education. The report synthesizes European literature on VL adoption, details implementation methodologies, and presents evidence-based recommendations for policy and practice to support wider adoption of VLs and improve student engagement and learning outcomes.
Implementation Reports: Cross-National Synthesis
This cross-country synthesis consolidates the findings of the VHEalthLab implementation conducted in Spain, Cyprus, Greece, and Romania between May and September 2025. Drawing on pre- and post-questionnaire data, interviews, and focus groups, the evaluation assessed educators’ digital readiness, perceptions of virtual laboratories, platform usability, and the learning experience across four virtual lab cases. Results show strong cross-country convergence: educators value the platform, perceive the VLs as pedagogically robust, and identify similar priorities for improvement in accessibility, assessment design, and curricular alignment.
Conference Presentations & Outreach
AMEE 2024 – Basel, Switzerland
- Educational Design for Student Success: Self-regulated learning, sandwich teaching methods, and student empowerment strategies
- Health Workforce Development: Alignment of health education, employment, and equity (Ronald Harden Plenary)
- Innovative Teaching Methods: Integration of ChatGPT, BOPPPS model, and problem-based learning approaches
- Student Engagement: Organization of medical meetings and cultivation of student autonomy
- Academic Performance: Longitudinal studies on learning strategies and their impact on clinical competency
MEI 2024 – Thessaloniki, Greece
Overview: Presented the VHEalthLab ERASMUS+ project addressing pandemic-era challenges in laboratory-based education through open-access virtual labs for Biology in Health Sciences.
Key Highlights: Open-access platform in 4 languages (English, Greek, Spanish, Romanian) • Scenario-based learning activities • Supports academics in designing lab courses • Promotes accessibility and inclusion
Published in: MEI 2024 Conference Proceedings (ISBN: 978-960-243-750-6)
ETE 2025 – Limassol, Cyprus
Focus: Addressing the scarcity of high-quality, open-access tools for STEM education and the need for inclusive resources accessible to diverse learners.
Solution: VHealthLab platform using OpenLabyrinth for scenario-based virtual laboratories • Multilingual (English, Greek, Spanish, Romanian) • Self-paced, multimodal design supporting special educational needs • Platform: vhealthlab.elearning.ro
Impact: 3 virtual cases created • Positive evaluation in Cyprus and Greece • Successfully demonstrates accessibility and sustainability in digital education
Erasmus+ Grant: 2023-1-CY01-KA220-HED-000166031
