Employing information technologies based on .NET XNA framework for developing a virtual physical laboratory with elements of 3D computer modeling

Abstract

Nowadays, with the rapid evolution of information technologies, new teaching and learning methods and tools develop in the educational system. Virtual laboratories are one of those new tools that are now being increasingly used for teaching various disciplines in institutes and universities. In this paper, we outline the advantages of virtual laboratories over traditional ones and present a survey of existing solutions in the field of virtual laboratory development. Moreover, a virtual physical laboratory is described that was developed by authors of this paper taking into account both requirements imposed by the educational system of Kazakhstan and shortcomings of presently-available solutions.