Remote Access to Comprehensive Teaching Laboratories
A European Commission Framework V project PEARL (Practical Experimentation by Remote Learning) has just been approved and will run from January 2000 to December 2002. This is researching and developing a system to enable students to conduct real-world experiments as an extension of computer based learning (CBL) and distance learning systems. The objectives being to give high quality learning experiences in science and engineering education by bringing the teaching lab to the students; giving flexibility in terms of time, location and special needs. This will extend Internet course delivery to accommodate collaborative working in practical experimentation.
A key objective is towards improving the access to Science, Engineering and Maths courses for students with disabilities but the work has general implications for campus based and distance teaching and learning in these subjects and web based educational services provided by museums and libraries.
