A remote experiment is a real
experiment
An experiment is a procedure carried out to support or refute a hypothesis, or determine the efficacy or likelihood of something previously untried. Experiments provide insight into cause-and-effect by demonstrating what outcome occurs wh ...
with real
laboratory instrument
A laboratory (; ; colloquially lab) is a facility that provides controlled conditions in which scientific or technological research, experiments, and measurement may be performed. Laboratory services are provided in a variety of settings: physicia ...
s and equipment that can be controlled by a
computer through the
internet
The Internet (or internet) is the global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to communicate between networks and devices. It is a ''internetworking, network of networks'' that consists ...
. One or more remote experiments are accessible in
remote laboratory
Remote laboratory (also known as online laboratory or remote workbench) is the use of telecommunications to remotely conduct real (as opposed to Virtuality, virtual) experiments, at the physical Location (geography), location of the operating te ...
.
Remotely controlled experiments have become a widespread tool for teaching
physics
Physics is the natural science that studies matter, its fundamental constituents, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. "Physical science is that department of knowledge which rel ...
at the
university
A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. ''University'' is derived from the Latin phrase ''universitas magistrorum et scholarium'', which ...
level of
education
Education is a purposeful activity directed at achieving certain aims, such as transmitting knowledge or fostering skills and character traits. These aims may include the development of understanding, rationality, kindness, and honesty. ...
. When executing remote experiments the remote users can change system parameters, observe results in graphical form and/or by video transmission from
webcam
A webcam is a video camera which is designed to record or stream to a computer or computer network. They are primarily used in videotelephony, livestreaming and social media, and security. Webcams can be built-in computer hardware or periphera ...
, and download the experimental results. Sometimes a booking system is available for remote experiments that allows the users to book time for access of remote experiment in advance. User operates remote experiment via
graphical user interface
The GUI ( "UI" by itself is still usually pronounced . or ), graphical user interface, is a form of user interface that allows User (computing), users to Human–computer interaction, interact with electronic devices through graphical icon (comp ...
. Remote experiments are positively evaluated by the learners.
Advantages of remote experiments
When compared to
simulation
A simulation is the imitation of the operation of a real-world process or system over time. Simulations require the use of models; the model represents the key characteristics or behaviors of the selected system or process, whereas the ...
s in virtual laboratories and to
experiment
An experiment is a procedure carried out to support or refute a hypothesis, or determine the efficacy or likelihood of something previously untried. Experiments provide insight into cause-and-effect by demonstrating what outcome occurs wh ...
s in the traditional laboratories, remotely controlled experiments have following advantages:
*remote experiments can be carried out from anywhere in the world;
*no time restriction since experiments are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week;
*overcoming problems with limited laboratory capacity for numerous students;
*safe and secure operation of equipment without danger of user's injury;
*remote experiments can be shared between education institutions as for example in
labshare
Labshare consortium is a laboratory sharing initiative established by the Federal Commonwealth of Australia Government's Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations by their Diversity and Structural Adjustment Fund awarded the fi ...
initiative.
Users of remote experiments
Remote experiments are a powerful technology which can be implemented in
distance education
Distance education, also known as distance learning, is the education of students who may not always be physically present at a school, or where the learner and the teacher are separated in both time and distance. Traditionally, this usually in ...
to provide the learner hands-on experience. Remote experiments can be especially valuable for some groups of users:
*learners with physical disabilities, who cannot intend traditional laboratory exercises;
*part-time students, who cannot intend traditional laboratory exercises;
*learners who are undergoing continued education (
Lifelong learning) and have to integrate learning activities into their everyday schedule.
References
See also
*
Remote laboratory
Remote laboratory (also known as online laboratory or remote workbench) is the use of telecommunications to remotely conduct real (as opposed to Virtuality, virtual) experiments, at the physical Location (geography), location of the operating te ...
{{DEFAULTSORT:Remote Experiment
Science experiments