May 2008 — News
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Science Labs: Virtual Versus Simulated
Extra Credit Here are some links to virtual lab resources across the Web. Online Scientific Databases Remote Experiments Prerecorded Remote Experiments |
Over the last decade or so, numerous articles have appeared that conflate the ideas of a virtual science lab and a simulated science lab. For example, the College Board, in its guidelines, says, "A virtual lab is an interactive experience during which students observe and manipulate computer-generated objects, data, or phenomena in order to fulfill the learning objectives of a laboratory experience." (College Board, n.d., p. 4) Yet, the computer need not generate the objects, data, or phenomena as numerous remote experiments done every day by scientists show.
The University of California, in its "a-g" requirements, specifically forbids the use of virtual science laboratories, and the New York State Regents require 1,200 minutes of hands-on laboratory instruction. Despite an increasing body of evidence that a well designed and implemented virtual science lab experience can provide good learning opportunities, these two bodies are resisting any virtual lab experience at all, no matter what its merits may be.
The apparent reason for such a powerful force opposing virtual science labs comes from two sources.
1. Early virtual labs were simulations that had a distinctly cartoon-like appearance and feel. Scientists can hardly support students performing investigations into a cartoon as a substitute for a true scientific investigation.
2. Because the only virtual labs were also simulated labs for a long time, the two words became synonymous for many people. Thus, these people prejudge the appropriateness of any virtual lab because they expect to see a simulated lab.
Consider the actual definitions of these words and how they apply to a scientific investigation (or science lab experience). These definitions are taken from the Compact Oxford Dictionary.
