By Andrew Ewing, Vice President, Luminex Technical Operations
Luminex is taking one small step into a virtual environment with the Luminex Virtual Lab.
Our long range plan is to make a giant leap into teaching in a virtual environment by bringing more realistic training and tours, product launches and technology simulation. Learning, collaborating, and performance – all from your own computer.
Why a “Virtual” Lab?
That’s a good question. We could have redesigned the website with a straightforward interface, including revolving courses and content. But we wanted more.
At Luminex, we wanted to create a realistic, interactive learning environment – where, for example, you can experience a virtual model of our training facility, see how to load a plate on a Luminex instrument, or to perform a probe height adjustment.
We know that learning comes through doing. When you can interact more with our software interface, you’ll know exactly how to run the command in your own lab. That’s why simulations and games are part of all the new courses we offer.
The Virtual Lab is now the hub for web-based training from Luminex. You’ll register for web- based and instructor led training, learn, interact, test your knowledge and provide evaluations from this one central space.
Besides giving you the freedom to come and go in the lab as your schedule allows, the courses count toward continuing education hours.
A New Frontier
But we don’t intend to stop there. The technology is moving too quickly – and offers us too many options to improve training for our users.
Luminex plans to expand this virtual environment, creating real-time simulations of assay stations and instruments, where the online user controls what happens. Simulations and game-playing scenarios have been proven to be powerful teaching tools.
You’ve Arrived, Virtually
As we continue to expand our virtual environment, you should expect to see Virtual Labs and content that are localized to specific geographic areas. Each lab would house content and training in the home language and for the skills needed in specific areas of the world. Additionally, in the future, you may be able to tour Luminex facilities, try new products, and test a new assay kit, all from a Virtual Lab.
Now that’s a giant leap our xMAP technology users would appreciate.