A layered architecture for online lab-works: Experimentation in the computer science education

Abstract

Practical competencies are key components of any computing education curriculum. Today, several computer experiment tools exist, however, these tools are originally intended to experts, and do not integrate very well into the existing online learning environments, in particular, they lack efficient support for teamwork, tutoring and instructional design. In this paper we introduce a model-driven engineering approach to transparently integrate remote computer experiments into distant learning curriculums. The originality of this framework stands on two key components: a middleware layer that acts as glue between existing Learning Management Systems and remote laboratories and a set of standard unifying and extensible models representing the whole system including its lab components, the versatile experiments and the actors' actions. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.