Grid-based interactive virtual scientific experiments for distributed virtual communities. (3rd January 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Christou, Ioannis T.; Tiropanis, Thanassis; Tsekeridou, Sofia; Roussos, Konstantinos
• Is Part Of: International journal of continuing engineering education and lifelong learning. Volume 20:Number 6(2010)
• Page Start: 443
• Page End: 464
• Publication Date: 2011-01-03
• Subjects: virtual scientific experiments -- VSEs -- virtual communities -- web services -- grid-based virtual laboratories -- distance learning -- collaborative learning -- distributed computing -- network simulation -- shared virtual laboratories -- online communities -- web based communities -- grid computing -- virtual classes -- e-learning -- electronic learning -- online learning; Engineering -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; 620.00715
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1560-4624

Abstract

Today, distance learning classes are commonly offered from many leading universities around the world. A major challenge in such distributed classrooms is the formation of active virtual communities among the participating students. Shared virtual laboratories offer such a possibility as students form lab teams to run the same interactive simulation and in the course of such experiments learn to interact and understand each other better. A virtual scientific experiment architectural framework on top of a grid infrastructure for running interactive virtual laboratory experiments for such distributed student communities with visualisation capabilities was designed and implemented, using web services standard protocols such as WSDL and WS-notification as implemented in the WSRF specification. This paper reports on results from running such simulations on a local grid infrastructure. System evaluation results from a distributed pool of students show the added value of the system in enhancing distance-learning programs and virtual classes with extensible collaborative and interactive virtual laboratories sessions.