Virtual chemistry laboratory: a panacea toproblems of conducting chemistry practical at science secondary schools in Nigeria

Abstract

Laboratory activity as an integral part of learning chemistry provides students with a learning experience built up through student's interaction with concrete material is deficient in science secondary school students in Nigeria. This unpleasant situation resulted from the fact that, in many schools, laboratory personnel and facilities are either partially available or not completely available. This paper discussed some of the benefits of a virtual chemistry laboratory and how its three-dimensional interactive nature would be used to overcome these problems in order to enhance students' understanding and achievement in chemistry through the integration of the virtual chemistry laboratories in conducting chemistry practical. The paper further suggested for the integration of virtual chemistry laboratories or even support the real laboratories with virtual ones, particularly in schools that lack equipped chemistry laboratories in Nigeria.