Conceptual Understanding and Experimental Skills in Physics through Virtual Lab among Learners at Graduate Level

Abstract

Development of scientific concepts and experimental skills are essential components of 
learning physics and laboratory experiments plays a significant role in this. Laboratory 
experience helps learners to understand the concepts, laws and theories as well as to develop 
observation, critical thinking, and reasoning and problem-solving skill. In traditional 
laboratories, more time is used for familiarisation with the apparatus than for doing experiments 
and also there is time constraint to explore more. In addition, there is financial constraint as 
regards purchase of sophisticated equipment. These constraints limit the attainment of 
conceptual understanding and development of experimental skills of learners; and Virtual lab 
appears to be a solution for this. Virtual labs provide remote access to simulation-based 
experiments and it can be accessed anytime, anywhere by learners, which help them to learn 
according to their pace. Virtual labs also give opportunity for the learners to repeat the 
experiments by controlling the variables. Present study aims to find out whether the conceptual 
understanding in Physics and experimental skills among graduate level learners can be 
enhanced through Virtual lab intervention. For this, the investigators adopted mixed 
methodology. Pre-test post-test non-equivalent groups design was used for the quasi
experimentation. The sample consisted of 80 students at graduate level. Achievement test, 
rubrics to analyse experimental skills and focus group discussion were used to collect the data. 
The quantitative data is analysed through independent sample t-test. Findings of the present 
study revealed that the conceptual understanding in Physics and experimental skills among 
graduate level learners are enhanced through practicing virtual lab. Virtual labs help to arouse 
the curiosity among learners and help them to learn basic and advanced concepts in Physics 
through remote experimentation. Virtual labs provide learning flexibility, conceptual clarity, 
development of experimental skills and are financially viable in terms of money and time.