Virtual laboratories where the infrastructure and experiments are entirely simulated [4],[5] can be relatively inexpensive and have been developed for several different engineering topics [6],[7]. Although promising for teaching a certain level of conceptual understanding, it appears difficult to effectively teach design skills and the ability to tackle open-ended situations using virtual labs, at least in their current form [4].



Researchers have also investigated the use of a single set of hardware that students can operate remotely over the web. For example, Gillet et al. described using a number of electromechanical systems, including an inverted pendulum and a model helicopter, to allow students to remotely adjust controller parameters and view the system responses [8]. This setup provided students with practical experience in control engineering without requiring them to be in the same location or have their own hardware.