Remote Access Laboratory receives national accolades

A USQ online system that enables remote students to use state-of-the-art laboratory facilities has been nationally recognised for its innovation.

The Remote Access Laboratory (RAL), in development since 2007, was showcased for a Learning Impact Award judging panel in Melbourne recently and received The 2011 Australian Regional Encouragement Award.

The RAL allows USQ Engineering and Surveying students to use software and hardware remotely for learning activities which previously, were only available on-campus.

Through this technology certain experiments, such as simulating a power grid fault to see how the protection device responds, can be undertaken by students from their home PCs.

USQ Engineering senior lecturer and RAL project manager, Dr Alexander Kist, said the win was exciting for the University and acknowledged the innovative nature of the initiative.

'The student response to the RAL has been great so far, with many able to develop their practical skills from home at any time of the day,' Dr Kist said.

'There are two types of activities, software and hardware. Software activities give students access to often expensive professional software – some worth $50,000 or more - from their home computers.

'They can use the programs in a very similar way they would in the computer labs on campus, for example, Finite Element Analysis Software, Geographic Information System, Ubuntu Linux.

'Hardware activities include Remotely Accessible Hydraulics Laboratory, Electrical Network Protection Systems and Programmable Logic Controllers.'

Dr Kist said this year’s focus was on developing a number of initiatives to collaborate with and assist other USQ faculties to use this great learning tool.

'We have also had interest from local schools, industry and other stakeholders that would like to use this innovative technology.'

The RAL has been recognised on a National level as state of the art learning and teaching technology.

'RAL and other USQ’s online learning environments will help to guarantee parity of student experience, regardless of geographic location; enhance USQ’s ability to meet the flexible learning agenda and remain at the front line of distance education,' Dr Kist said.

USQ Electronics and Communications lecturer Dr Andrew Maxwell said he had found the RAL to be an excellent enabler for exploring different methods of teaching.