Architectural support for non-expert deployment of remote laboratories

In addition to the domain and pedagogic knowledge required to design the laboratory experience, the development and maintenance of the current generation of remote laboratories typically requires a relatively high degree of technical expertise. This has resulted in long development timelines, a lack of engagement from teachers, and limited exploration of new laboratories. This paper explores the feasibility and requirements of a laboratory architecture that simplifies the development of remotely accessed laboratories. The intent is that a non-expert user with limited technical knowledge (typically a STEM teacher) can readily configure an experiment so that it is able to be both monitored and controlled remotely. The solution incorporates a dynamic interface that can detect and configure components automatically. We believe that the result will be a much wider and more rapid exploration of possible remotely accessed experiments - in much the same way that science teachers readily explore variations in hands-on laboratory experiments.