From individual Remote Access Laboratory implementations to institutional learning tools

Abstract

Information and Communication Technologies have become a critical part of distance education and Remote Access Laboratories (RAL) have been widely discussed in the research community. However, RAL technology is not as prevalent as other electronic learning tools. This study identifies considerations for the wider implementation, uptake and embedding of the Remote Access Laboratory system as an online learning tool across universities. The study explores whether and how the benefits offered by the RAL system can be extended to students in other disciplines and faculties, with a view to creating more equitable opportunities for student learning across the university. Investigating four learning activities in three different disciplines, evaluation questions in the areas of appropriateness, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability are addressed. The study concludes that the RAL approach is sufficiently open and flexible to suite a variety of learning objectives and pedagogies in a number of contexts. Some wider issues are significant to the uptake of RAL and this evaluation highlights main considerations to be addressed if RAL implementations are to occur more broadly across universities as learning systems.