Remote laboratory course launched

Distance learning has a long tradition, and there are already several ways to implement it. However, there are still challenges in implementing distance learning when the goal is to practice more concrete practical matters. One such example is laboratory courses in technical fields.

The Quality in Distance Learning project is looking for solutions for laboratory work that can be carried out remotely. Transferring data from one platform to another and retrieving it using a user interface are examples of things that can now be tested in a real environment.

Around the turn of the year, new steps were taken in this area when the laboratory course of the Master's program in Computer Science tested the possibilities of remote performance. The real context better highlights additional needs and possible shortcomings, which are collected through feedback for further development.

When the course workspace has been developed at the same time, the benefits are significant from the students' point of view.

– In the new workspace, the exercises have been grouped according to new themes/topics, and at the same time, the instructions for the exercises have been reviewed and updated to reflect the perspectives developed in the project, says project researcher Jari Luomala.

At the same time, the assignment submission and review processes have been developed, with the automation of the latter playing a key role.

"The goal of all the reforms and solutions supporting remote implementation is to make remote laboratory work as meaningful as possible from the perspective of both students and teachers.

In addition, three exercises are ready for publication, which utilize real-time and authentic data for completing the tasks, enabling a new way of performing remote laboratory work.