Project Overview
A remote laboratory is an experiments or lab which is conducted and controlled remotely through the internet. Although the user is not in the physical location of the equipment, real components and instrumentation are still being used. The remote lab process differs from the alternative virtual laboratory in that the equipment is real and all results are real world results. With the prevalence of internet based activity, the next step for NAIT and its chemical technology department is to offer remote lab service to its students in order to accommodate a more flexible lifestyle.
Purpose
Canadian Remote Sciences Laboratories (CRSL) is a project run by Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and Athabasca University (AU) situated at the NAIT Chemical Technology Department. This project was launched through the collaborative effort of both NAIT and AU. This project began development in January 2002 and was launched in January 2004. MS Dashboard was the software used during development of the website and in early 2006 this product was no longer supported by the manufacture and the project had to be put on hold. The current project has been developed as a replacement for the previous CRSL project. NAIT is known for its advancement and expertise in hands-on training. The remote lab site will provide advanced access to analytical instruments to students of the institution, students and researchers world-wide, and small to medium-sized companies. By expanding the use of this technology NAIT will be able to realize a more substantial return on their laboratory instrument investments.
Group dynamics
The remote chemical laboratory consulting team is a team of three NAIT students each with a different background that is relevant to the Canadian Remote Sciences Laboratory project. The three group Members are Tyler Mowbrey, Asmahan Rabo and Richard Williams. The backgrounds of the group members are computer systems technology, chemical technology and electronics engineering technology respectively. Each member brings their own experiences and technical knowledge to the project.
Overview of proposed goals and objectives
RCL Consulting will present a final working remote lab software interface to the Sponsor Team by April 19, 2010. The goals and objectives set out at the initialization of this project are as follows:
Goals
- Return to functionality NAIT’s remote lab system with current design practices and technological advances.
- Provide a sustainable system that allows for ease of modification and scalability that will support NAIT`s commitment to supporting world-class research.
Objectives
Produce a working remote laboratory interface including the following features:
- Primary
- Resolution of software compatibility issues with a focus on both immediate functionality and sustainability.
- Development of a robust scheduling system.
- Implementation of an authentication system that accommodates instructors, students and small to medium sized businesses.
- Secondary
- Ensure a medium of chat communication between instructor and student.
- Create a method for gauging student progression.
- Update web camera feed.
- Increase clarity of web-based instructions.
- Enhance help functionality.
Overview of completed goals and objectives
RCL Consulting team members managed to meet its goals on functionality at NAIT’s remote lab and provided sustainability. It has also met all primary objectives such as resolution of the software compatibility issues, robust scheduling and authentication of the system. The team has managed to update web camera, a secondary objective.
Project Plan
The remote lab project plan was created to outline the project tasks for the eight month project duration. The project has been broken into the following major elements:
- Project Launch
- Acquire Resources
- Requirement Definition
- Proposal Presentation
- Detailed Design
- System Configuration
- Application Development
- System Documentation
- Testing
- Training
- Production Implementation
- Close-Down
