Virtual laboratory
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Definition
- “The Virtual Laboratory is an interactive environment for creating and conducting simulated experiments: a playground for experimentation.”. (The Virtual Laboratory Environment @ Algorithmic Botany retrieved DSchneider 11:46, 30 June 2006 (MEST) )
Virtual laboratories for research
A virtual laboratory would allow scientists in a number of different physical locations, each with unique expertise, computing resources, and/or data to collaborate efficiently not simply at a meeting but in an ongoing way. Effectively, such a project would extend and pool resources while engendering orderly communication and progress toward shared goals. For example, a group of astronomers and computer scientists at the supercomputing centers in the U.S. are attempting to share experiments and knowledge about the origin of the universe. Shared visualizations of alternative possibilities could conceivably suggest additional or refined alternatives. Virtual laboratories are also envisioned for the design and manufacturing of complex systems such as airplanes and for studying and forecasting weather patterns.
([http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci214029,00.html Internet2 - Whatis, retrieved 11:46, 30 June 2006 (MEST))
Virtual laboratories in education
Links
Examples
- Algorithmic Botany. Includes plant modeling software called the Virtual Laboratory (PDF flyer). It consists of domain-dependent simulation programs, experimental units called objects that encompass data files, tools that operate on these objects, and a reference book