VIDEOEASEL: Architecture of Virtual Laboratories on Mathematics and Natural Sciences

“Virtual Laboratories ” present a model of interactive, explorative learning tools for supporting lectures, hands-on training, homework assignments and research. First, we prepare a list of requirements that de-fine Virtual Laboratories as a multi-purpose platform for cooperative, explorative learning and, starting from this list, we give specification guidelines on how to design these laboratories. We propose a three-layer architecture for Virtual Laboratories as networked applications along the formu-lated principles, and separate laboratories into the following modules: Physical modelling implementing a simulation core, an interconnection layer that allows linkage of various laboratories and computer algebra systems to built-up experiments, and a user interface layer that provides several GUIs targeting different user groups. Starting from the pedagogical requirements of Virtual Laboratories, we demonstrate the consequences for the implementation on a prototypical lab in the area of statistical mechanics using the proposed software design. Cellular Automata as simulation core provide a rich class of algorithms for implementing micro-scopic laws of many-body systems. Graphical development toolkits like Oorange are used as interconnec-tion layer. Maple and browser front-ends act as graphical user interfaces. We conclude with an outlook on how to enrich Virtual Laboratories by means of intelligent agents