If you are still thinking about using virtual labs in your science courses, we would like to take a moment here and address two basic questions that may be on your mind.
What are virtual labs?
Virtual labs are based on simulation tools and technologies. These are common in research and industry, but still relatively new when it comes to teaching and learning basic science. In a classroom setting, modern virtual labs will let you run experiments through a web browser using laptops and tablets that most students already bring to classes. The science is real, and the experiments are "virtual" in that they exercise a sufficiently accurate simulation model of the real system. It is easy to generate data and report results from virtual experiments.
Why use virtual labs?
Virtual labs will allow you to seamlessly integrate demonstrations into your lectures. You can supplement textbooks and real labs, and offer a new resource to students that can take learning to the next level. Virtual labs bring textbook concepts to life and enable students to learn by doing -- all at no cost to you or your students. You can use them in undergraduate as well as advanced high-school courses -- both in the classroom and as homework projects/activities.