Abstract

As a result of the lockdown, remote computing has become popular around the world. With the help of online learning tools, such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Docs, and OneDrive, it is now possible to deliver effective online lectures. However, conducting lab exercises as part of the learning process is challenging even though an increasing number of applications are available in the cloud, enabling some assignments given in a class to be completed online.  Other lab assignments require specialized software applications that are costly and available only on computers in the labs at the colleges. Moreover, students with Mac computers cannot complete specific assignments because the applications required to complete the assignments run only on Windows computers. In the first part of this presentation, an approach is proposed to use Azure cloud services for transferring the lab exercises conducted in physical labs to virtual computers created in the cloud. It is based on the use of the Asure cloud services to conduct the lab classes effectively in an Information Technology class offered at a university. The design of the lab classes, the creation of the virtual computers to run the lab classes, and the related experience in implementing the lab assignments will be presented in the first part of the presentation. In the second part, in contrast, a lab software specially designed to conduct chemistry laboratory exercises will be presented. Here again, the practical exercises that could be conducted in the cloud, the software used for the lab exercises, and the experience administering the exercises will be discussed. In summary, with the increasing number of cloud resources available, the need to incorporate lab assignments in classes should not be considered a deterrent to offering hybrid or fully online courses.