Expanding the Frontiers of Engineering Education in Open and Distance Learning by an Online Laboratory Platform

At present, people have a tendency to carry out higher education in a distance mode due to their busy lifestyles. However, open and distance learning (ODL) educational organizations encounter difficulties when delivering laboratory experiments. This paper presents the development of an online laboratory platform as a solution. It can be used to deliver laboratory experiments, using electronic components and instruments such as a signal generator and oscilloscope. Students are able to perform experimental tasks remotely utilizing real equipment and components. The system users can view laboratory environments via a camera which provides a sense of reality.The platform provides facilities to customize and rebuild the laboratory experiments according to the requirements of the organization. It can also be utilized as a useful educational tool to acquire pre-experience before entering the real laboratory. Thestatistical analysis shows no significant difference between the face-to-face laboratory (FFL) and online remote laboratory (ORL) experimental results within a 95% confidence level.The system can enhance the existing open and distance learning system by sharing the resources in a flexible manner.This system reduces the difficulties that distance learning students encounter when participating in FFL sessions. It also reduces the number of FFL sessions and is helpful to working students. One of the main objectives of ODL is to provide a learning environment for those who missed the opportunity for higher education for a variety of reasons. This system will help to achieve this objective.