Laboratório virtual como alternativa didática para auxiliar o ensino de química no ensino médio

Abstract

The experimental activity is an indispensable practice in the process of knowledge development in chemistry and the lack of modern and equipped laboratories is one of the main reasons of the separation between theoretical approach and the practical one. This problem is experienced by most of high schools in Brazil. Due to the growing of globalizing information and the need to improve the quality of education, there is a growing interest in the using of new methods in the educational process, in order to arouse the interest of the learner. This study describes the use of virtual labs, which simulate chemical experiments, as a didactic-pedagogic instrument, to help teachers to conduct experimental activities in high schools. It was found that the use of educational software for teaching chemistry has led to a great approval by the academics consulted. Regarding the enhancement of learning, the use of the computational resources contributed significantly the understanding of the content by the students, allowing the better relationship between theory and practice.