Virtual lab environments: design and implementation ofinteractive, web based applications for increased learning

Abstract: This report describes the design and implementation of web based applications to be used mainly by students of ages 13-15 to increase their understanding of basic physics. Through theoretical studies and later practical tests the required features to make such applications successful are examined. The applications, named Virtual Lab Environments (VLEs), are made to be usedtogether with the physics book Titano Fysik published by the publishing house Gleerups. Ten different VLEs have been created from which three were tested on a larger group of students.The test results are overall positive and they seem to support the factsestablished from the theoretical studies about how to design theapplications. The result seems to further support the importance of game-like features for digital learning tools. The fun-factor of the VLEs seems to impact the users overall impression of the applications and therefore is very important. Naturally the fun has to be balanced since the purpose is toeducate. But it is suggested that when ever possible, game-like featuresshould be used.More tests are required, especially on the untested VLEs. Future research onthe VLEs impact on students final results, after using the VLEs in theircourses, should also be performed.