Merging Remote Laboratories and Enquiry-based Learning for STEM Education

Authors

  • Ananda Maiti University of Southern Queensland Toowoomba QLD 4350
  • Andrew D. Maxwell University of Southern Queensland Toowoomba QLD 4350
  • Alexander A. Kist University of Southern Queensland Toowoomba QLD 4350
  • Lindy Orwin University of Southern Queensland Toowoomba QLD 4350

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijoe.v10i6.3997

Keywords:

remote laboratories, instructional design, e-learning, enquiry-based learning, STEM

Abstract


Practical learning activities are effective ways to increase the interest of students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) topics. Attracting school students to STEM careers is a challenge in many parts of the world. Remote Access Laboratories (RAL) allow for offsite control of state-of-the-art science and technology experiments. Such learning activities, while mostly used in universities, can also provide additional learning opportunities in schools. Current RAL technologies are targeted at undergraduate engineering education and offer limited operational autonomy. Opportunities for collaboration and experiment design are not well supported. However, both are important components of STEM education in schools. This paper discusses how RAL can be adapted to better support enquiry based learning in the context of STEM education. The limitations of current architectures are discussed and approaches to address these are presented.

Author Biographies

Ananda Maiti, University of Southern Queensland Toowoomba QLD 4350

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences

Andrew D. Maxwell, University of Southern Queensland Toowoomba QLD 4350

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences Senior Lecturer

Alexander A. Kist, University of Southern Queensland Toowoomba QLD 4350

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences Senior Lecturer (Telecommunications) School Co-ordinator (Learning & Teaching)

Lindy Orwin, University of Southern Queensland Toowoomba QLD 4350

Australian Digital Futures Institute Postdoctoral Research Fellow

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Published

2014-10-25

How to Cite

Maiti, A., Maxwell, A. D., Kist, A. A., & Orwin, L. (2014). Merging Remote Laboratories and Enquiry-based Learning for STEM Education. International Journal of Online and Biomedical Engineering (iJOE), 10(6), pp. 50–57. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijoe.v10i6.3997

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Section

Papers