Technology is everywhere these days. In cell phones, e-readers, tablets, instant messaging and texting, and QR codes on bananas! What's next? Computers in our eye glasses? These days, you never know what new technology will pop up.
All this advancement ushers in a new opportunity to learn-and learn in various ways never thought of before. A good example of ways technology is improving and spreading educational concepts is with virtual labs.
Before, labs were set up in specific areas in a school building, protected by strict codes, and containing chemicals and substances that are often dangerous. Students put on their white lab coats and protective glasses to fill their flasks, boil with their gas burners, and inspect with microscopes. Now with virtual learning, you don't need any of those items anymore! You don't even need to go to school room to experiment with chemistry equipment or biology molecules.
Students can now mix fluids, dissect worms, learn about Ph indicators, and peer into cells virtually, safely, and conveniently in online science simulators. Virtual labs might not have the same smell (thank goodness) or the accidentally broken beakers, but they do offer more options to more students who are isolated regionally, can't afford equipment, or lack on-site science teachers. It's a good way to advance STEM inspiration to more learners too!
Online schools can be a good area to offer your student accredited classes, with qualified teacher support and virtual science lab options.
Do you think virtual science labs are the way of the future?