Development, application and evaluation of virtual chemistry laboratory experiments for chemichal changes unit at secondary school 9th grade curriculum

The main aim of this study is to develop, implement and assess an interactive virtual chemistry laboratory sampling the experiments in the chemical changes unit in 9th grade chemistry curriculum. The virtual laboratory was developed based on constructivist learning theory and Prediction-Observation-Explanation strategy. The sample of this quasi-experimental study was 90 students from three different 9th grade classrooms of an Anatolian Secondary school located in the city center of Trabzon. The student groups were randomly attained as one experimental and two control groups. The data collection tools of the study were; Chemical Changes Unit Achievement Test, Laboratory Equipments Test, Attitude Scale towards Chemistry Course, Education Philosophy Questionnaire, Semi-structured interviews, structured and unstructured observations.The data of the study were evaluated and comparisons within and between groups were made, by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 16.0). The results showed that virtual chemistry laboratory software was just as effective as real chemistry laboratory and it positively affected the facilitating of constructivist learning environment. It was determined that the students in experimental group conducted the experiments as precise as the real ones; they felt themselves safe during the experiments; they could relate the experiments with daily life; they had the opportunity to investigate macroscopic, molecular and symbolic dimensions of the experiments. It was speculated that using virtual chemistry laboratories as a supportive complement in education will become an indispensible instructional material in terms of both national economy and the persistency of the learning.