Virtualization of Laboratory Practices Using Visual Basic Excel

The COVID-19 pandemic and its related restrictions forced the reorganization of learning methodology and gave a central role to remote learning. Laboratory experiments are the most affected activity, and several alternatives were described. This work proposes to create calculation tools by simply programming in Visual Basic of Excel to emulate the data acquisition of specific laboratory experiments. The approach appears useful in experiments with a simple setup followed by data analysis. The experiment of gas volumetric properties allows fixing pressure and temperature conditions and measuring the occupied volume. The developed program emulates such operations and reports a computed volume. Further data reduction is the same in both procedures. Such a virtual experience was successfully used with groups of over 100 students. The results obtained were satisfactory compared with those obtained in the laboratory. Detailed analysis of the grades shows that acquired skills are comparable in both methodologies. Consequently, the virtual approach is a flexible option for remote laboratory teaching to complement traditional experimentation.

Automated summary

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the reorganization of learning methods, with remote learning playing a central role. Laboratory experiments have been heavily impacted, leading to the search for alternatives. This study proposes the use of simple programming in Excel to create calculation tools that simulate data acquisition in specific laboratory experiments. The results show that virtual experiments yield comparable grades and skills to in-person experiments.