Real or Virtual Laboratories in Science Teaching - is this Actually a Dilemma?

Considerable pedagogical advantage may be gained by the integration of the different ICT tools commonly used in teaching science and technology, particularly by integrating "real" and "virtual" laboratory activities. In the context of this paper, "real" laboratories involve benchtop experiments utilizing data acquisition systems while "virtual" laboratories entail interactive simu- lations and animations. Examples of such integrated activities are described; namely, (i) the study of wave phenomena using sound and (ii) a study of motion in one dimension. Such integrated com- puterized teaching tools also provide an opportunity for a greater level of integration of different science and technology disciplines.