Real-time collaboration of virtual laboratories through the Internet

  • Authors:

  • Carlos A. Jara;Francisco A. Candelas;Fernando Torres;Sebastian Dormido;Francisco Esquembre;Oscar Reinoso

  • Affiliations:

  • Department of Physics, System Engineering and Signal Theory, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain;Department of Physics, System Engineering and Signal Theory, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain;Department of Physics, System Engineering and Signal Theory, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain;Department of Computer Science and Automatic Control, UNED University, Madrid, Spain;Department of Mathematics, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain;Department of Industrial Systems Engineering, Miguel Hernandez University, Elche, Spain

  • Venue:
  • Computers & Education
  • Year:
  • 2009

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Abstract

Web-based learning environments are becoming increasingly popular in higher education. One of the most important web-learning resources is the virtual laboratory (VL), which gives students an easy way for training and learning through the Internet. Moreover, on-line collaborative communication represents a practical method to transmit the knowledge and experience from the teacher to students overcoming physical distance and isolation. Considering these facts, the authors of this document have developed a new dynamic collaborative e-learning system which combines the main advantages of virtual laboratories and collaborative learning practices. In this system, the virtual laboratories are based on Java applets which have embedded simulations developed in Easy Java Simulations (EJS), an open-source tool for teachers who do not need complex programming skills. The collaborative e-learning is based on a real-time synchronized communication among these Java applets. Therefore, this original approach provides a new tool which integrates virtual laboratories inside a synchronous collaborative e-learning framework. This paper describes the main features of this system and its successful application in a distance education environment among different universities from Spain.