Collaborating Remote Computer Laboratory and Distance Learning Approach for Hands-on IT Education

This paper studies the innovative methodology for developing IT education from the traditional face-to-face model to full capability of distance learning by combining a remote computer laboratory and a distance e-learning environment. There are three approaches presented with different implementations of laboratory technologies and learning models. The design challenge is to address the limitations of resources at region-wide learning sites, cost-effectiveness and scalability. Computer virtualization and StarBED computing testbed can achieve a larger scale of laboratory size with less cost of equipment and administration workload. The live learning environment ensures quality of realtime communications during lecture and lab sessions by employing IPv6 Multicast on a satellite UDLR network. The self-paced learning environment is proposed to enable a flexible schedule, resource reusability, and scalability. The lab supervision system is the key component to enhance teaching effectiveness in the self-paced hands-on practice by systematically automating the lab supervision skills of lecturers. These approaches have been evaluated as feasible, cost-effective and scalable by the real implementations of similar Asia-wide workshops. Trade-off overheads and analysis on technology and pedagogy perspectives are made to compare their characteristics.