This article talks about the basic foundation of a virtual lab. They use "Virtual labs use the power of computerized models and simula- tions and a variety of other instructional technologies to replace face- to-face lab activities."

In reading this article I discovered some of the negative traits of virtual labs. Obviously it is not as hands on as a traditional lab. This may be an issue for some of the more visual learners. There can also be time and place restrictions when it comes to the virtual labs.

I found it interesting to read about the two being compared. Of course there are always going to be benefits to participating in the traditional lab, new advances in technology have made it easy to replicate doing the same thing without some extra costs. In a virtual lab there is no set up or cleaning up after, students can repeat the experiment more than one time, and it is a lot more cost effective. These are just a few topics that the site focusses on that I found useful.

This article discuses many of the advantages to using a virtual lab rather than going through the motions of a traditional lab. Virtual labs are generally less expensive, allowing more schools to benefit their students. The labs have also been shown to help explain the process and science behind the lab in a understandable way to students trying to learn. Although it does mention that virtual labs should not be completely take over. The article says that these labs should really be used to "enforce" the information.

These virtual labs are prepared to "create a new point of view and bring about a new dimension to the lesson." After doing research they have found that these virtual labs are just as effective as doing the real thing and not as rough on the environment. Students reported that they enjoyed this new way of learning and helps in different ways.