Hcene Benmohamed

Generic framework for remote laboratory integration

Similar to classical in-situ laboratories, remote laboratories are necessary in e-learning environments, especially in scientific and technical disciplines. This paper outlines our current research on this particular way of learning. Our research objectives consist in proposing a generic framework (independent of educational content) to allow, in one hand, tutors to integrate (both remote and virtual) laboratories in their LMS (learning management system), and in the other hand, to enable creation, distribution and exchange of pedagogical scenarios for practical works. So, authors are able to deal their scenarios through LCMS (learning content management system) and to reuse scenarios from other authors (as for any classical e-learning content). Furthermore, scenarios are no more written for a specific apparatus, but for a class of them (inverted pendulum, optical bench, ...). Two main topics are developed. First one consists of modelling laboratory and scenario structures regarding IMS-LD specification to separate content from containers. Second one consists of describing system components and functionalities using ontologies (OWL standard in our case). A prototype for automation discipline is presented.

Remote laboratories: new technology and standard based architecture

E-Laboratories development appears to be more complex than other e-learning contexts such as online courses, virtual classrooms, e-projects, role-playing, etc. However, this kind of training is essential for scientific and technical disciplines and fits a real need. Recently we initiated a project [A. Leleve et al., (2003)] whose main goal is to build a complete remote laboratory system with an open, extensible and reusable architecture. This paper gives a global context of electronic, remote and virtual laboratories. Concerning e-lab scenario structure, our works are currently focusing on IMS learning design appropriateness.

Remote laboratories: AIP-Primeca RAO platform

During last decade, Internet and related web technologies development enabled the arising of e-learning services and made distant learning a reality. As traditional face to face classroom became virtual classroom through Internet, traditional laboratories found their equivalent in e-Laboratories. These e-Labs enable learners to train on remote real or virtual systems. They represent essential components in e-learning environments, especially in scientific and technical disciplines. In this context, AIP-Primeca RAO is a pool of resources and competencies for industrial topics for many universities in Rhone. Due to the constraints of using heavy and shared resources, AIP is setting up new laboratories related to automation as both local and distant resources. After recalling the global context of e-laboratories, this paper describes this platform. It evokes first returns of use and it depicts evolutions to come.