I would like to thank Mr Poh Wei Leong for his contribution to some of the resource ideas in this article.
Educators have practiced using instructional videos to prepare learners for practical lessons. Virtual laboratory experience can also be used as a pre-lab activity to support learning. We have consolidated 3 free and amazing virtual lab activities for teaching and learning.
1. HHMI BioInteractiveHHMI BioInteractive features virtual lab simulations on biological evolution, applications of molecular technique and immunology. These simulations are accompanied by student and/or teacher handouts. I like their simulations on biological evolution as they not only provide invaluable contexts to help learners understand various concepts of biological evolution in H1/H2 biology, but also expose learners to appropriate statistical analyses.
2. Learn.Genetics
Genetic Science Learning Centre features virtual lab simulations on molecular techniques. One of my favourite simulations is the gel electrophoresis activity, where I can fully experience the steps involved in gel electrophoresis from making the agarose gel to obtaining the results of the electrophoresis. However, to guide the learner to think about what he/she is doing and learning in the simulation, educators are encouraged to prepare a student handout.
3. Virtual Labs by McGraw Hill Higher Education
Virtual Labs by McGraw Hill Higher Education has a collection of interactive that provides different learning experience compared to those offered by the rest of the recommended sites here. The activities are recreations of actual research experiments. Thus, learners have the opportunity to understand how to form testable hypothesis and plan an experiment. Try these out: Virtual Lab 1 (related to the topic on biological evolution), Virtual Lab 5 (related to photosynthesis), and Virtual Lab 6 (related to the topic on cancer).
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