Hans-Jörg Jodl

Experimenting from a distance—remotely controlled laboratory (RCL)

The use of computers and multimedia, as well as the World Wide Web and new communication technologies, allows new forms of teaching and learning such as distance learning, blended learning, use of virtual libraries and many more. The herewith discussed remotely controlled laboratory (RCL) project shall offer an additional contribution. The basic idea is for a user to connect via the Internet with a computer from place A to a real experiment carried out in place B. An overview of our technical and didactical developments as well as an outlook on future plans is presented. Currently, about ten RCLs have been implemented. The essential characteristics of an RCL are the intuitive use and interactivity (operating the technical parameters), the possibility of different points of view of the ongoing experiment thanks to web cams and the quickest possible transfer of the data measured by the user. A reasonable use of sensibly chosen real experiments as remote labs allows a new form of homework and exercises, as well as project work and the execution of experiments, which usually would be a teachers prerogative only.

Remotely controlled laboratories: Aims, examples, and experience

Remotely controlled laboratories are real experiments that can be controlled by users from their computers via the Internet. We present an overview of technical and pedagogical developments, describe the diversity and potential of our experiments, and comment on their acceptance by physics instructors.

Distance Education in Physics via the Internet

Abstract This article describes three connected projects in physics: (1) a very successful course at the university level; (2) a collection of several thousand multimedia materials, its status and evaluation, and its dissemination; and (3) Web experiments—experiments that can be operated remotely from a distance via the Internet.

Low-Cost, High-Tech Experiments for Educational Physics.

The advantage of low-cost experiments is obvious and the real-life aspects of high-tech experiments appeal to pupils. The benefits of hands-on experiments that are both low-cost and high-tech are described here. Four detailed examples are given, which include the use of contact lenses and CDs, and other ideas are provided.

Experimenting from a distance—determination of speed of light by a remotely controlled laboratory (RCL)

The speed of light is an essential topic in the teaching of physics at school and at university, either with respect to the type of experiment or of course with respect to its genuine inherent importance. In reality, the various available experiments are hardly ever performed in class for many reasons. Therefore, we offer this experiment as a remotely controlled laboratory (RCL). An RCL is a real experiment setup at location A which can be controlled via the Internet by a user at a distant location B. It allows several actions like in the hands-on experiment and delivers convincing results. Finally, we present experiences of the use of the RCL, describe the added value of this experiment as an RCL and give hints for implementing the RCL in teaching.

Experimenting from a Distance in the Case of Rutherford Scattering.

The Rutherford scattering experiment plays a central role in working out atomic models in physics and chemistry. Nevertheless, the experiment is rarely performed at school or in introductory physics courses at university. Therefore, we realized this experiment as a remotely controlled laboratory (RCL), i.e. the experiment is set up in reality and can be operated by a computer via the Internet. We present results of measurements and supplementary didactical material. In addition, we make suggestions on how to use the RCL in class and we describe the added value of performing this experiment as an RCL.

A collection of problems for physics teaching

Problems are an important instrument for teachers to mediate physics content and for learners to adopt this content. This collection of problems is not only suited to traditional teaching and learning in lectures or student labs, but also to all kinds of new ways of teaching and learning, such as self-study, long-distance teaching, project-oriented learning and the use of remote labs/web experiments. We focus on Rutherfords scattering experiment, electron diffraction, Millikans experiment and the use of pendulums to measure the dependence of gravitational acceleration on latitude. The collection contains about 50 problems with 160 subtasks and solutions, altogether 100 pages. Structure, content, range and the added value of the problems are described. The whole collection can be downloaded for free from http://rcl.physik.uni-kl.de.

World pendulum?a distributed remotely controlled laboratory (RCL) to measure the Earth's gravitational acceleration depending on geographical latitude

We suggest that different string pendulums are positioned at different locations on Earth and measure at each place the gravitational acceleration (accuracy ?g ~ 0.01 m s?2). Each pendulum can be remotely controlled via the internet by a computer located somewhere on Earth. The theoretical part describes the physical origin of this phenomenon g(), that the Earths effective gravitational acceleration g depends on the angle of latitude . Then, we present all necessary formula to deduce g() from oscillations of a string pendulum. The technical part explains tips and tricks to realize such an apparatus to measure all necessary values with sufficient accuracy. In addition, we justify the precise dimensions of a physical pendulum such that the formula for a mathematical pendulum is applicable to determine g() without introducing errors. To conclude, we describe the internet version?the string pendulum as a remotely controlled laboratory. The teaching relevance and educational value will be discussed in detail at the end of this paper including global experimenting, using the internet and communication techniques in teaching and new ways of teaching and learning methods.

Experiments on electro‐optic effects with a ceramic dielectric

An experimental investigation of the Kerr effect is described which uses the optical ceramic PLZT, instead of the poisonous nitrobenzene, as a birefringent medium. Both the transverse and the longitudinal electro‐optic effect can be demonstrated. A wide range of further quantitative measurements may be performed using the optical ceramic. As examples we describe how temperature‐dependent properties and hysteresis characteristics of the material can be examined, and demonstrate technical applications such as in welding goggles or for the intensity modulation of a light beam.

A new medium for physics teaching: results of a worldwide study of remotely controlled laboratories (RCLs)

We report on the results of a worldwide research project on remotely controlled laboratories (RCLs). The findings are briefly commented on and critically reviewed. The survey of RCLs, together with the criteria of evaluation, can be downloaded.