Recent usage of computer-supported laboratory in the biology classroom: Is virtual laboratory an alternative?

In the classroom, computers can be used for the improvement of teaching and conceptual learning. Computer-supported real and virtual laboratory are recognized as tools which enhance the acquisition of both concepts and connections among them. According to our research, Slovenian Biology teachers have adopted the computers as typewriter, a source of information and a tool for communication to be used in their teaching preparation. Other uses for ICT (like computer-supported laboratory) are only rarely on the schedule. In fact, students of biology are better at using some applications of ICT in the biology classroom than contemporary Biology teachers. Lower secondary school pupils, between 11 and 15 years old, performed three laboratory exercises as classic, computer-supported and virtual laboratory. After testing, we know that all three methods are suitable even for younger pupils. They were asked which method they liked the most; their first choice was computer-supported laboratory, followed by classic laboratory, with virtual laboratory at the bottom.