Generic framework for remote laboratory integration

Similar to classical in-situ laboratories, remote laboratories are necessary in e-learning environments, especially in scientific and technical disciplines. This paper outlines our current research on this particular way of learning. Our research objectives consist in proposing a generic framework (independent of educational content) to allow, in one hand, tutors to integrate (both remote and virtual) laboratories in their LMS (learning management system), and in the other hand, to enable creation, distribution and exchange of pedagogical scenarios for practical works. So, authors are able to deal their scenarios through LCMS (learning content management system) and to reuse scenarios from other authors (as for any classical e-learning content). Furthermore, scenarios are no more written for a specific apparatus, but for a class of them (inverted pendulum, optical bench, ...). Two main topics are developed. First one consists of modelling laboratory and scenario structures regarding IMS-LD specification to separate content from containers. Second one consists of describing system components and functionalities using ontologies (OWL standard in our case). A prototype for automation discipline is presented.