An Innovative Approach in Virtual Laboratory Education: The Case of “IUVIRLAB” and Relationships between Communication Skills with the Usage of IUVIRLAB☆

Abstract The aim of this study was the 3-dimensional active learning methods and techniques, interactive, multiuser and innovative Istanbul University Virtual Laboratory (IUVIRLAB) is to introduce the physics laboratory was developed as a model and investigate its relationships between communication skills with the usage of IUVIRLAB. Although there are many computer simulations and virtual laboratory applications, the model introduced in this study has a unique characteristics in terms of being a 3-dimensional, interactive virtual laboratory that enables students to learn in cooperative groups, and is the first in its kind due to its qualities of enabling multi-admin. and multi-user operation, having a special software compatible to run on iPad, iPhone, android and smart phone platforms, and having been designed on the basis of active learning approaches and provocate innovation approach in e-learning. Due to its multi-user and internet accessible nature, the produced virtual physics laboratory was designed in a way suitable for the use of all active learning(problem-based learning in cooperative groups, cooperative learning, project-based learning, inquiry-based learning, research-based learning, learning through invention and structuralist learning) approaches that can be carried out with cooperative groups.