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Table 1 Summary of existing lab solutions used in distance education

From: Toward a telepresence robot empowered smart lab

Category

Type of lab solutions

Requirements

Advantages

Disadvantages

Virtual

Lab by demonstration

Recording of real lab work needs to be produced

Easy to implement as long as a real lab is available for recording

Learners won’t be able to participate in the lab and to get real world experience

Virtual

Lab by simulation

Simulation of a lab work needs to be developed

Learners can participate in a simulated environment

Learners till don’t have chance to handle real lab equipment and materials

Virtual

Virtual lab

Computer-based virtual lab needs to be developed for learners to access through a computer interface

Lab environment is virtually replicated for learners to operate through a computer interface

Learners can get some “hands-on” experience but only on virtual lab equipment and materials

Virtual

Virtual reality lab

Virtual reality (VR) lab environment need to be developed for learners to access often through a computer interface

Better than virtual labs; the lab environment is more real leading to better lab experience and learning outcomes

More work needed to produce virtual reality labs, and learners still don’t have access to real lab equipment and materials

Real

Home lab kit

Home lab kit including materials and instructions needs to be made available for each specific lab

Learners can get real lab experience by doing lab at home using the lab kit

The types of lab work that can be done at home are limited due to complexity and safety concerns.

Remote

Remote lab, also known as online lab

Real lab sessions must be available for learners to access remotely through the internet

Learners can remotely carry out real lab experiments through the internet, with the help of sensors and automation machinery in the real lab

Special sensors and machineries must be made available for each specific lab session.