Students and teachers’ necessity toward virtual laboratory as an instructional media of 21^st century science learning

Abstract

Abstract This research aims to determine the needs a virtual laboratory. The research used survey method. Instrument used were questionnaires for both teacher and students. The research used 2 class grade VII total 67 students which choosen by purposive sampling and 2 science teachers in Junior High School 6 Yogyakarta. The questionnaires were analyzed by percentage and interview analyzed by descriptively. The questionnaires contains about science learning in school, science practicum in school, the use of technology in learning, and media virtual laboratory needed in learning. The interview consist of student learning outcomes, media that are commonly used in learning, implementation of science practicum, and the needs of the virtual laboratory. The result show that 94,3% students need virtual laboratory media should be developed to supporting media for the science practicum activities. This condition was supported by interview, teachers assume that with a virtual laboratory in which there are material, videos, pictures, and simulations make students not only understand the theory but students can do practicum virtually. The teacher states that it is necessary to develop a virtual laboratory media to overcome the constraints of science practicum in schools because of that students and teachers need virtual laboratory in science learning.