The fourth edition was held in a hybrid format due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with 100 participants including international attendees. The program highlighted innovative solutions developed during the pandemic, such as at-home experiments, digital simulations, and new ways of supporting student projects. Thanks to the interactive format, participants could actively exchange experiences and discuss lessons learned, which highlighted opportunities for future laboratory education.
The third edition, hosted at the University of Amsterdam, focused on research-based learning in laboratory education. Keynote speaker Dr. Helen Walkington from Oxford Brookes University and a wide range of other presenters inspired the attendees through parallel sessions on educational literature, inquiry-based learning, the labjournal, simulations, competence-based learning, and more.
In 2018 the symposium was hosted by Wageningen University and Research, attracting 90 participants for a varied program including talks, workshops, and a lab visit. Keynote speaker Dr. Nimesh Mistry from Leeds University and many national and international speakers shared perspectives on course design, research-based practicals, assessment, and student experiences. The broad choice of sessions and the lively atmosphere were highly appreciated by the participants.
The first edition of Present-day Practicals was held at Leiden University, bringing together 60 participants from across the Netherlands to discuss the design of effective laboratory education. Keynote speaker Dr. Koos van der Kolk focussed on cognitive load in practicals, aligning learning outcomes with activities and assessments, and the benefits of whole-task learning - key principles that form the basis for the e-learning tool LabBuddy. Other speakers shared their insights from recent educational literature and their own experiences. The positive evaluations led to plans for a second edition.
