Distance delivery of a laboratory based controls for manufacturing automation course-a success story

Over the years, distance learning (DL) has proven to be very effective for many theoretical courses, but is challenging if courses include hands-on laboratory modules. Bringing students several times a quarter to campus and conducting lab sessions imposes inconvenience on the students. It also restricts the geographic locations of the student body that can benefit from this program. This was the case with the Electrical/Mechanical Engineering Technology program at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). To overcome this issue, RIT has effectively utilized the web, multimedia techniques and simulation tools to bring the laboratory experience to DL students on demand. This paper discusses the stages in the evolution of a DL course and how a hands-on laboratory course is being successfully offered over the Internet, benefiting students far and wide.