Virtual laboratory applications in chemistry education

The lab applications, whic4h were started to be applied through mid 19(th) century, not only provide a new point of view but also bring about a new dimension to the lessons. At early times they were used to prove theoretical knowledge but lately they turned into environments where students freely discover knowledge as an individual or in groups. The activities that have come up with the recent form of labs substantially contributed to training ideal students for constructivist approach, who research, inquire, test, seek solutions, wear scientist shoes and deeply reason about the concept of concern. However, on the present stage of our educational system, these activities cannot be included in lessons for several reasons. At that point virtual labs emerged as an alternative solution for the problems of the instruction of applied courses. In this study the aims of using virtual labs, advantages and disadvantages of them were reviewed and some virtual lab studies in the chemistry field were introduced. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd.