Simulations contain models that are designed to simulate systems, processes, or phenomena. Students can change the values of variables in the simulation (e.g., the resistance
in a virtual electrical circuit) and observe the effects of those changes on other variables
(e.g., voltage or current). The simulations allow students to conduct experiments and collect experimental data quickly and easily. (In this sense, the simulation could also be
called a virtual laboratory; therefore, the term virtual lab will be used in the following.)
Building or adjusting experimental setups with real equipment can be laborious and time
consuming. In a virtual lab, in contrast to a real lab as described above, the setup can be
given and changes to the configuration can be made quickly and effortlessly, allowing students to focus and to stay focused on their inquiry processes without delay or disruption.
By systematically changing variables and observing and interpreting the consequences of
those changes, the students can explore the properties of the underlying model, such as
Ohm’s law . Furthermore, seeing
what happens in reality can support students with testing the validity of their own mental
model and with identifying aspects of their model that need to be refined. Eventually,
this process of testing mental models on the basis of empirical observations can help students bring their mental models in line with the real phenomena .