A STUDY ON THE VIRTUAL LABORATORIES AS A NEW EDUCATIONAL METHOD.

Abstract

The massive and continuous development in human knowledge and experience has produced  many innovations in all areas. Most important of these innovations is the technological innovations; that have been employed in the development and upgrading of the educational process in all its elements.

 One example of these technological innovations is the virtual labs technology, which is widely used in many areas including science, pharmacy, engineering, education and other fields. The need for employing this technology was to overcome the problems related to traditional lab.

  So it has become possible for the learner through the use of the virtual labs technology to pass the expertise that can not be learned directly on the ground because of: 1- The risks that they might be exposed to as a result of the implementation of the tests directly. 2- The  unavailability of materials and tools needed to conduct experiments. Moreover, the virtual laboratory is a great time and effort saving when conducting experiments, and also, it reduces costs  necessary for the purchase of materials, tools, laboratory. In addition it enables the learner to identify errors made by the time of the simulation, and it helps the learner to repeat the  experience several times and any time at his convenience.

  From the standpoint of the important role played by the Science Lab in the process of teaching and learning of science,  this paper deals with: - Virtual learning and the reasons for resorting to it and its requirements. Considering the advantages that offered to the students by using it. Highlights the concepts, benefits and features and their important role in teaching and learning. The reference to some international experiences of virtual labs.