When dealing with learning in laboratories, using real-time experiments and/or interactive simulations, it is necessary to determine the additional values of online laboratories for cognition and learning. It is also necessary to show where the drawbacks of this approach are for learners.

In an ideal laboratory-based learning environment mix of several learning elements and strategies are applied:

• Repetition of theoretical knowledge which the experimenter needs to understand and design his experiment.
• Application of theoretical models and concepts to a practical situation, in which the experimenter proofs the validity and limits of the theoretical (usually mathematical) model.
• Training of practical (technical) skills composing the needed elements and instruments for the experiment, working with measuring, testing and control instruments and also with laboratory software.
• Training of practical social and communication skills, because experiments are commonly done in teams.
• Critical reflection about the results of the experiment, the used model and methods (error calculation, precision of measurements etc.).
• Last but not least the learning process in laboratory situations also includes the training of writing skills (technical writing and documentation). This is a good occasion to train logical reasoning, exact expression and language skills within the framework of a complex situation.

The learning situation in laboratories is highly complex, but also well structured. Usually students have limited or even no access to the real equipment, because of that training of the practical skills necessary in designing an experiment is lacking. Remote laboratory is the solution providing access to real equipment.

In addition to this the communication skills and the skills used in collaborative learning are better trained in an online lab situation since the communication channels in such complex situation stresses a learning process.

Therefore, when designing online experiments, the developer has to model such scenario where the ability to participate in a collaborative learning and teamwork in a teleworking situation must be trained in addition to the training involved in the experiment itself.

Note: If you want to know more about the advantages and disadvantages of alternative learning tools have a look at http://www.ask.com/question/what-are-the-disadvantages-and-advantages-of-vle-s-virtual-learning-environments