Practical distance self-study in a virtual classroom with remote laboratories

On many Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) engineering courses there is no opportunity for students to begin studying a subject and gain specialist knowledge straightaway, since their prior knowledge of the specific control system software is too generalized. A virtual classroom has been developed to deal with this problem. It has been proven that, by using this classroom, students are able to independently acquire knowledge of the software before starting their course. They work in a Learning Management System (LMS)-controlled classroom on real processes. When combined, the various components of the classroom create real laboratory situations. Sufficient resources are available for a number of students to work simultaneously.