Remote Teaching Laboratories in Science and Engineering

For scientists and engineers, the idea of remote controlled experiments is not a new. Remote control is often used when an experiment or instrument is physically inaccessible by virtue of location or danger. It is also an excellent method for sharing expensive equipment and facilities with other researchers. However, employment of remote laboratory access to deliver the practicum components of distance science courses is much more recent and certainly not as common. Historically, the complexity and technology involved has often dissuaded universal adoption of this method in regularly run laboratory courses. However with the increasing availability and robustness of new technologies, the use of remote laboratories is being explored by many distance educators in the sciences as a viable method of offering a first-class laboratory experience for the student.