The Aim of developing the Virtual Laboratory is to provide:
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An interactive "virtual immersive reality" environment.
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A software tool kit that allows simulation of the physical environment, incorporating one fundamental force,namely, gravity.
This has been necessitated after realizing that effective Science learning comes from experimentation. Taking into consideration the fact that even today most schools (rural and urban) lack proper laboratory infrastructure, it was imperative that we provide an environment that takes care of this lacuna in a simple and cost effective manner. Hence the Virtual Laboratory.
The major advantages of the Virtual Laboratory would be:
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Few physical resources required.
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Flexibility of space, time, resources and experimentation.
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No recurring costs and many more.
The Virtual Laboratory is divided into two sections namely:
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Demo Library - A collection of pre-set experiments to promote concept learning through
interactive simulations based on real life experience.
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Development Environment - Tool to create new experiments to promote learning through enquiry - Reusable Domain Objects (RDO) toolbox experimental apparatus - Graphical interface with drag and drop facility for object handling. Presently we are working on two areas of physics, Mechanics and Optics.
Some snapshots from the Virtual Laboratory are shown below:
