What is Online Experiment

From the angle of computer based education, the Internet extends the power of personal computers (PC) from being a standalone machine to one that is connected to the world with uncountable resources. Applications such as library access, information search, educational material download, on-line tutorials and even examinations can now be routinely carried out by a low cost PC with Internet connection at any time from practically everywhere. Most applications are however software oriented and do not involve experimentation through remote access to physical hardware or equipment. While it is natural and easier for more flexible software to establish links and communicate with each other, these setups do provide a good learning experience in many situations. However, as pointed out by Antsaklis at al (1999), it is commonly recognized that effective and complete learning, especially in engineering and science, requires a mixture of theoretical and practical sessions. In particular, to appreciate and use theoretical knowledge to solve real world problems, practical exercises are indispensable.