Inception and Management of Remote Access Laboratory Projects

Abstract

Practical experiments and laboratory exercises form an integral part of Engineering education programs and are a requirement for program accreditation. To provide off-campus (external/distance) students with practical learning experiences equivalent to that of their on-campus peers is both logistically difficult and resource intensive. A project was undertaken to provide all students with remote access to video-supported laboratory experimentation to allow students, regardless of location, to actively engage in contextual action-oriented learning and achieve course objectives with less emphasis on attending on-campus training sessions. The manner of design and implementation, and the management of research and scholarship, surrounding this project were informed by past experiences. This paper demonstrates the importance of consultation with all key stakeholders throughout the project life cycle and presents key components for the success of such projects. This approach is particularly relevant in situations where project management does not have line management over all members of the project team, often the case in university environments. The unique process followed by this Remote Access Laboratory implementation project represents a
\nsuccessful model that may well be followed by others.