My First Article on Virtual Labs
http://chronicle.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/weekly/v49/i21/21a03001.htm
The above link will prompt you to log in to the proxy server if you haven't done so. If you're at any campus or institution that subscribes to The Chronicle, use the following link: http://www.chronicle.com/weekly/v49/i21/21a03001.htm
Carnevale, Dan. "The Virtual Lab Experiment: Some Colleges Use Computer Simulations to Expand Science Offerings Online." The Chronicle of Higher Education. 49.21 (Jan 31, 2003):NA. Academic OneFile. Thompson Gale. University of Florida. 12 Mar, 2007.
Only when I started reading this article did I notice that they are actually discussing the software that I plan on trying with my students, Virtual ChemLab, developed by professors at Brigham Young University. I think this article serves as an excellent starting place for this investigation, as the topic is aimed at such a general audience.
Virtual labs can be used either on their own, or as a stand alone laboratory program. By using them alongside traditional labs, experiments can be done with much less preparation and no safety risks. This allows students to have free reign, something we've long warned them against. It also allows us to work with expensive lab equipment and materials that are hazardous and difficult to dispose. I spent over $5000 this year setting up my laboratory to teach AP Chemistry for the first time. That doesn't include the $2500 in chemicals we bought to stock up our storeroom. Future years will be less expensive, but there are plenty of schools that may look into using virtual labs as a replacement for their traditional laboratory system.
I am not in support of using ONLY virtual labs, except in a distance learning or disability situation. You can't say you have completed a real general chemistry course if you can't light a bunsen burner, use a buret, or haven't hung your head after ruining hours of work with a simple mistake. It's just part of the experience. I am thinking that this can be GREAT help, however, doing labs that take just too much time (or having them do the virtual labs at home.
The above link will prompt you to log in to the proxy server if you haven't done so. If you're at any campus or institution that subscribes to The Chronicle, use the following link: http://www.chronicle.com/weekly/v49/i21/21a03001.htm
Carnevale, Dan. "The Virtual Lab Experiment: Some Colleges Use Computer Simulations to Expand Science Offerings Online." The Chronicle of Higher Education. 49.21 (Jan 31, 2003):NA. Academic OneFile. Thompson Gale. University of Florida. 12 Mar, 2007.
Only when I started reading this article did I notice that they are actually discussing the software that I plan on trying with my students, Virtual ChemLab, developed by professors at Brigham Young University. I think this article serves as an excellent starting place for this investigation, as the topic is aimed at such a general audience.
Virtual labs can be used either on their own, or as a stand alone laboratory program. By using them alongside traditional labs, experiments can be done with much less preparation and no safety risks. This allows students to have free reign, something we've long warned them against. It also allows us to work with expensive lab equipment and materials that are hazardous and difficult to dispose. I spent over $5000 this year setting up my laboratory to teach AP Chemistry for the first time. That doesn't include the $2500 in chemicals we bought to stock up our storeroom. Future years will be less expensive, but there are plenty of schools that may look into using virtual labs as a replacement for their traditional laboratory system.
I am not in support of using ONLY virtual labs, except in a distance learning or disability situation. You can't say you have completed a real general chemistry course if you can't light a bunsen burner, use a buret, or haven't hung your head after ruining hours of work with a simple mistake. It's just part of the experience. I am thinking that this can be GREAT help, however, doing labs that take just too much time (or having them do the virtual labs at home.
posted by MJS at 2:51 PM
1 Comments:
The virtual labs sound like a great alternative to already strapped science departments. I have used video labs when I don't have the materials but these are not interactive and they bore me. The students seem to be interested. I would prefer interaction.
Jessica
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