A general framework and booking system for online laboratories based on open source technologies

Abstract

This paper discusses the creation of a common Framework for Online Laboratories especially used in the field of e-Learning. Online Laboratories allow students to deepen their knowledge by doing experiments in practice by use of Online Laboratories. These Online Laboratories can be accessed over the Internet - thus allowing students to participate in laboratories whenever they want and from wherever they are. Currently available reservation Systems for Online Laboratories are central based systems - allowing booking and access to the Online Labs over only one central system. The past has shown that this implies one big disadvantage: If the reservation system is down for some reason, an Online Laboratory can not be booked or accessed any longer! This paper shows a new way of avoiding this big disadvantage by use of a distributed reservation system. Furthermore it will show how easy and efficient Online Laboratories can be offered within a Common Framework. © 2007 Springer.