Assessment of Remote Laboratory Practices in Engineering Technology Distance Education

Abstract

This paper presents a preliminary study for assessing the remote laboratory practices for distance-learning in an ETAC/ABET accredited engineering technology program. This initial study has been conducted using a remote robotics workstation, which is developed by the students and faculty members of the program in order to support hands-on student learning experience in programming full-scale automated industrial robot arms through remote-access from distant geographic locations. The effectiveness of the developed remote robotics workstation have been assessed through comparing the test scores, laboratory grades and qualitative questionnaire survey results of distance and local students taking the same course. Assessment results are analyzed to determine the role of remote laboratories in achieving the learning outcomes and leveraging students' motivation.