Using virtual laboratories in teaching natural sciences: An example of physics courses in university

ABSTRACT Thinking outside of the box is an important part of education. However, using innovative teaching methods in education can be very challenging for educators. They are directly involved into a teaching process and upcoming changes should be well planned and the impact of the introduced innovations/changes should be estimated in advance. Innovations can be also challenging for a management part of a particular higher education institution, whose major goal is to organize a smooth learning process. Current work presents software empowered innovation in the domain of teaching physics at universities. Authors demonstrate how particular software artefacts could be possible integrated into existing curriculum in order to help students at universities in mastering particular natural science subject (e.g., “Physics‐1,” “Physics‐2”). Software is based on the ideas of virtual laboratories, whether implementation is based on Microsoft. NET XNA Framework and 3D modeling. Paper shows that the introduction of modern information and computer technologies along with the traditional forms of education are significantly enhancing teaching experience and improving education quality. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 25:39–47, 2017; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21777