{"id":5546,"date":"2020-09-22T17:58:37","date_gmt":"2020-09-22T14:58:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.talentlms.com\/blog\/?p=5546"},"modified":"2024-05-28T16:53:02","modified_gmt":"2024-05-28T13:53:02","slug":"virtual-laboratories-elearning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.talentlms.com\/blog\/virtual-laboratories-elearning\/","title":{"rendered":"What are virtual training labs and how do they work in eLearning?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Virtual laboratories (or virtual labs for short) are a great way for learners to practice in a safe, online environment.<\/strong> Through virtual science lab games and engineering simulation software, learners can interact with elements, machines, and interfaces before or instead of trying them out in real life.<\/p>\n

Virtual training labs have many applications in educational as well as business environments.<\/strong> In this article, we will shed light on them and help you determine when and how to use virtual laboratories in your eLearning courses.<\/p>\n

What is a virtual training lab?<\/h2>\n

A virtual laboratory is an on-screen simulator or calculator that helps test ideas and observe results. Learners use advanced technology to perform a series of experiments that yield authentic results.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For example, they can \u201ctinker\u201d with laboratory equipment that behaves in almost the same way as it would in a real environment. Or, they can run code, and, based on results, they can deduce a learning objective. This way, a virtual laboratory becomes a meaningful addition to your virtual class<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Virtual learning labs are not just about science<\/h2>\n

When we\u2019re thinking about virtual labs, our minds usually picture some type of a virtual chemistry lab game. But virtual laboratories are not limited to science and chemical reactions.<\/strong> They can be valuable tools in many industries.<\/p>\n

How do you use a virtual training lab?<\/h2>\n

Programming courses often use simulation tools to teach learners how to code. In this case, virtual training labs have compilers and code editors embedded in HTML pages<\/strong>, which enable learners to write, edit, and run code easily, all within an eLearning course.<\/p>\n

Web designers and developers can also benefit from such tools. They can apply major changes or create new features in a safe web environment, test them out, share feedback, and then move to the live version of their product or website.<\/strong> This way, they avoid disruptions to clients and product performance.<\/p>\n

Other industries that use virtual labs for training are the mechanical engineering and construction fields.<\/strong> Simulations are particularly useful for junior employees, who might need additional training or new employees who need some onboarding until they\u2019re comfortable enough to take on actual projects.<\/p>\n

\n

Train your teams easily with TalentLMS.
\n<\/b>The training platform that users consistently rank #1.<\/span>
\nEasy to set up, easy to use, easy to customize.<\/span>\"Create<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Virtual laboratories vs. physical laboratories<\/h2>\n

Here, nothing ever gets broken \u2014 so experiment away!<\/em><\/p>\n

Traditional lab training can be dangerous, or even impossible in some cases<\/strong>. Let\u2019s what the main challenges are when it comes to using physical labs for training:<\/p>\n

Challenges with traditional lab training<\/h3>\n