Remote and Virtual Laboratories in Problem-Based Learning Scenarios

The paper describes how remote and virtual laboratories can support problem-based learning scenarios. We actually change from a traditional way of teaching, including lectures, seminars and hands-on laboratories, to a new, problem-based teaching approach. Therefore we use a developed multimedia environment. This environment consists of a set of Java applets, desktop applications and of a web based access to the hardware equipment which can be used in the classroom, for learning at home, in laboratory research and training, or for carrying out testing of students during exams. These educational tools support university courses on digital electronics, computer hardware, VLSI design and architectures, testing and design for testability of digital hardware. The tools are used to support a new approach to bachelor courses following a problem based method and organized as full-day courses.