Week Four (Chapters Six and Seven): Topic (Educational Technology), Module (Virtual Chem Lab) – Clip: Virtual Chemistry Labs

Three advantages of using simulations in a chemistry lab are (1) students can perform a lab demonstration using any chemical that are located in the stockroom, (2) students are allowed to use various chemicals and manipulate them without having to face any real hazards, and (3) students are able to apply principles and theories learned in class and determine whether or not it works. Additionally, there are other advantages to using simulations in a chemistry lab, such as helping students to explore their creativity in order to create an unknown substance. For the teacher, they can minimize preparation time before going to class because it is not necessary to gather real chemicals. This is also cost effective for school districts because they do not have to purchase these costly chemicals.

There are several advantages in using simulations for other content areas that may contain a certain risk for students and/or something that students would not normally experience. First, it helps to equal the “academic learning field” in which all students can be exposed to kinesthetic tasks that may require a certain level of risk or visiting a country abroad. This advantage helps to eliminate the financial obstacle from the equation. For instance, even if school districts could not possibly afford to have a physical science lab, students do not have to miss out on the opportunity to perform virtual science lab experiments. This is also cost effective for the school district.

I believe that the type of learning strategies and/or classroom environments that would work best for computer simulations is based on Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligence theories. Based on this learning strategy, teachers are able to meet and address students’ various learning styles.