This paper introduces an experiment system developed as a teaching material to support the lessons related to vibration and earthquake resistance in the fields of civil engineering and architecture. The hardware was composed of an accelerometer, a serial communication interface, an RS232-USB conversion adapter, and a computer. The virtual shaking table in a computer display was controlled by the hand-operated accelerometer. The response of the structure model with multi-degrees of freedom on the shaking table was calculated in real time. The findings were that hands-on experience in controlling the shaking table helps an instinctive understanding of vibration, especially acceleration and seismic intensity. A structure model with different dynamic characteristics can be built easily, so that the effect of properties, such as the natural period and damping constant on the structural motions, can be visualized, helping the understanding of the theory of vibration.