Learning Technologies & Solutions SP15: Virtual Labs

Virtual Labs

The Virtual Laboratory is an interactive domain for creating and conducting replicated experiments. This technology greatly strengthens the workability of laboratory education, and to make known for students to the new paradigm of remote analysis. We are unable to perform experiments due to limited facilities and physical distances, especially when they involve innovatory instruments. Internet-based and media-based courses address the problems of teaching to some range. It is always a difficult task to make combined researches by two involving institutions and also sharing expensive resources has always a difficult task. With today’s computer technology the above mentioned limitations cannot hamper scholars and students in intensifying their knowledge and skills.

The virtual laboratories would be helpful for upcoming graduates who don’t acquire well equipped laboratory facilities, upper primary school students, whose curiosity will be prompted, provokes them to do higher studies, and even scholars in various institutes who can team up and share equipment. The virtual laboratory concept allows people access to resources they don't have.

They not only recreate the sensible output as in lab experiments, but also provide students with actual feel of the experiments. They participate at the convergence of university laboratory methods, interactive mediums and e-learning.

Advantages:

No restrictions about time and space.
repetition of experiment for better results
can make up in anywhere with internet facility
common environment
cost efficiency
Virtual labs help users to repeat experiments which they dont understand.

Disadvantages:

Technical difficulties with computer.
No interaction with real equipment.
Another great disadvantage that is true of all virtual exercises is that they lack the immediacy of the supervision and contact with experienced teachers.
Only mature and self-motivated learners do well in virtual environments where class meetings do not structure their time and they must actively seek help when confused.