Remote and open laboratory in science education — Technological, educational and psychological issues

This paper will describe how a scientifically exact and problem-solving-oriented remote and virtual science experimental environment might help to build a new strategy for science education. The main features of the new strategy are (1) the remote observations and control of real world phenomena, possibly materialized in data, their processing and evaluation, (2) verification of hypotheses combined with the development of critical thinking, supported by (3) sophisticated relevant information search, classification and storing tools and (4) collaborative environment, supporting argumentative writing and teamwork. Remote and Open Laboratory has been developed and used by Charles University in Prague since 1996, offered to science students and teachers since 2003.