Virtual Labs and Remote Labs: Practical Experience for Everyone

Abstract

Laboratory experiences should be available for a great number of students in engineering education, especially at times when the number of students is even more increasing. Virtual Labs and Remote Labs are innovative tools used for improvement. They are either simulating experiments (Virtual Labs) or remotely operated plants (Remote Labs). At RuhrUniversity Bochum, the implementation of eight new labs was supported by the project ELLI (excellent teaching and learning in engineering sciences). Didactical concepts as well as sustainable implementations were among the criteria of the independent jury’s decision. After their setup, the management of the variety of labs is the next step. This short paper reports the work in progress in the year 2013, the whole process is to be continued and improved.