Virtual laboratories as a tool to support learning

When university instructors face the need to train students on an experimental science, it means there should be a strong load of learning how to work in a laboratory, to understand the techniques, and to interpret results. However, it is often the case that there are difficulties associated e.g. to the lack of laboratory space, instrumentation or time in the course schedule. This article presents some guidance that may help in choosing, designing and particularly implementing practices around virtual laboratories and other simulations of experimental environments and techniques. The objectives are to provide a more active and significant learning, by engaging students in the process, to support and facilitate the practical sessions and, in cases where real experiments are not feasible, to provide some alternative exposure of the students to the laboratory work.