• Journal of Engineering Education Research
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.79-92
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• 2007

To enhance the excellence, effectiveness and economical efficiency in the learning process, we implement a hybrid educational system for engineering experiments where web-based virtual laboratory systems and distance education systems are properly integrated. In the first stage, we designed client/server distributed environment and developed web-based virtual laboratory systems for digital systems and electrical/electronic circuit experiments. The proposed virtual laboratory systems are composed of four important sessions and their management system: concept learning session, virtual experiment session, assessment session. With the aid of the management system every session is organically tied up together to achieve maximum learning efficiency. In the second stage, we have implemented efficient and cost-effective distant laboratory systems for practicing electric/electronic circuits, which can be used to eliminate the lack of reality occurred during virtual laboratory session. The use of simple and user-friendly design allows a large number of people to access our distant laboratory systems easily. Thus, self-guided advanced training is available even if a lot of expensive equipment will not be provided in the on-campus laboratories. The proposed virtual/distant laboratory systems can be used in stand-alone fashion, but to enhance learning efficiency we integrated them and developed a hybrid educational system for engineering experiments. Our hybrid education system provides the learners with interactive learning environment and a new approach for the delivery of engineering experiments.