\input zb-basic \input zb-matheduc \iteman{ZMATH 2009e.00586} \itemau{Darius, Paul L.; Portier, Kenneth M.; Schrevens, Eddie} \itemti{Virtual experiments and their use in teaching experimental design.} \itemso{Int. Stat. Rev. 75, No. 3, 281-294 (2007).} \itemab Summary: The ability to design experiments in an appropriate and efficient way is an important skill, but students typically have little opportunity to get that experience. Most textbooks introduce standard general-purpose designs, and then proceed with the analysis of data already collected. In this paper we explore a tool for gaining design experience: computer-based virtual experiments. These are software environments which mimic a real situation of interest and invite the user to collect data to answer a research question. Two prototype environments are described. The first one is suitable for a course that deals with screening or response surface designs, the second one allows experimenting with block and row-column designs. They are parts of a collection we developed called ENV2EXP, and can be freely used over the web. We also describe our experience in using them in several courses over the last few years. \itemrv{~} \itemcc{K95 R25} \itemut{design of experiments; teaching; data collection; applets; computer-based virtual experiments} \itemli{doi:10.1111/j.1751-5823.2007.00028.x} \end