Introduction
Virtual laboratory teaching in wood science and technology has several benefits, including:
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Cost-effectiveness: Virtual labs are cost-effective as they eliminate the need for expensive equipment, materials, and maintenance costs associated with traditional labs [3][6].
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Safety: Virtual labs provide a safe environment for students to conduct experiments without worrying about accidents [6]. This is especially important in wood science and technology, where some experiments can be dangerous.
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Flexibility: Virtual labs offer flexibility in terms of time and location. Students can access virtual labs from anywhere and at any time, making it easier for them to fit lab work into their schedules [4].
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Repeatability: Virtual labs allow students to repeat experiments as many times as they want until they fully understand the concepts [6].
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Active learning: Virtual labs promote active learning by allowing students to conduct experiments and analyze the results [6]. This helps students to remember the information for a long time and improve their higher-order thinking skills.
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Collaboration: Virtual labs can facilitate collaboration among students and instructors from different locations [2].