Traditional lab sections in introductory physics courses at Mount Royal University were replaced by
a new style of lab called ‘labatorials’ developed by the Physics Education Development Group at the
University of Calgary. Using labatorials in introductory physics courses has lowered student anxiety
and strengthened student engagement in lab sessions. Labatorials provide instant feedback to the
students and instructors. Interviews with students who had completed Introductory Physics
labatorials as well as the anonymous comments left by them showed that labatorials have improved
student satisfaction. Students improved their understanding of concepts compared to students who had
taken traditional labs in earlier years. Moreover a combination of labatorials and reflective
writing can promote positive change in students’ epistemological beliefs.