The Role and Impact of Virtual Laboratories in Physics Teaching and Learning: A Synthesis of Literature

Abstract

Physical laboratories are conventionally used at schools and universities, yet virtual laboratories are spreading out in curricula and teaching practices, due to their powerful and increasing affordances. The purpose of this chapter is to present and discuss empirical studies published mainly but not exclusively since 2010 concerning the integration of virtual laboratories in physics teaching and learning, outline findings and their implications, identify open issues and provide suggestions for further research. A qualitative approach is applied for critical examination of empirical studies which promotes an in-depth discussion of the contribution and pedagogical exploitation of a VL for providing meaningful learning experiences to students at all levels of education. This chapter is divided into several parts which treat the impact of the use of virtual laboratories on students' conceptual learning, development of scientific skills, attitudes, and perceptions of their experiences. In the extensive discussion, we elaborate on the role of virtual laboratories, in enriching and transforming the experimental field, the representation of concepts and models, data handling and facilitated linking of scientific theories with practices on behalf of users.