This report describes the results of an investigation on the teaching of Physics Laboratory in which real and virtual oscilloscopes are implemented and coordinated. Firstly, our research group developed a virtual oscilloscope (VO) as a multimedia tool for Microsoft Windows. This application consists of a complementary tutorial (see tutorials in www.uco.es/grupos/labvirtual) and a simulation. With the last one we can obtain on the virtual oscilloscope screen, the same response to any electrical signal we work with as in a real one. Signals are introduced from the outside into the virtual oscilloscope by a virtual generator and the methods of work in virtual and real laboratories are identical. In order to optimize the realism of the application, all the devices have been designed reproducing the ones we have in the experimental laboratory of our department. With this software, we have carried out an educational experiment aimed at assessing its influence on the learning of some basic physics laboratory techniques. This research has been carried out with first-year students of the Superior Polytechnic School of Córdoba (Spain), with highly auspicious results when compared to those students who had not previously worked with the VO. This observation provides support for asserting that the use of VO helps students to understand better the techniques and basics concepts used in laboratory work. The use of this program particularly forwards the progress of those students with high learning difficulties.