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Section III details a general structure for vlabs and describes an implementation for a vplab at uoc .

This general structure is based on the experience gained in the design and development of vlabs during the past eleven tears.

The value of this      proposal has been analysed through a survey that gathered student"s feedback.the results of the survey are presented in section IV .finally,section V provides a brief conclusion.

II.existing proposals for vlabs

The term vlab is defined in different ways in the literature. For instance ,chiu[5]takes a simple vision of a vlab as a local computer hosting. Other authors include simulation capabilities [6] whilst some consider vlabs as an extension of a remote laboratory[7,8].

A more accurate definition can be found in [9]where vlabs are defined as labs that "leverage modeling, simulation ,and information technologies to create an immersive ,highly interactive virtual environment tailored to the need of researchers and learners" .taking into account these previous definitions ,this paper  defines a virtual laboratory (vlab) as an interactive virtual space that incorporates all the technological ,pedagogic and human resources for carrying out practical activities ,adapted to the needs of the students and teachers in a virtual learning environment.

Different types of vlab have been proposed for specific purposes.

The most important in the fields of software engineering and computer engineer are the following:

Virtual programming laboratory (vplab)

Virtual operating system laboratory (voslab).

Virtual database laboratory  (vdblab).

Virtual  networking laboratory (vnlab).

Virtual computing architecture and organization laboratory(vcaolab).

Virtual mathematic laboratory(vmathlab).

 

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In the engineering programmes at the uoc, 62different vlabs have been implemented (as of spring 2008), distributed as follow :29 vplabs,10 vnlabs,6vmathlabs, 4 voslabs, 11 vdblabs and 2 vcaolabs.

III. general structure for a virtual programming laboratory.

The fundamental concepts of procedural programming are an essential part of software engineering and computer engineering so virtual universities require vplabs in order to improve the learning process of the practical programming activites [10].

Fundamental concepts include data types , control structures ,functions, arrays,desing of algorithms ,and the mechanics of running ,testing ,and debugging [11].

Furthermore, students must learn how to use at least one programming language.

This section present the implementation of a vplab following the integrated structure of vlab that has been used at the uoc since 1997 .

The following key resources are identified in the general structure of vplabs:

?technological resources.

A.virtual communication environment (vce)

B. simulator(sim)

C.remote laboratory (rem)

D.virtual machine (vm)000000

E.automatic assessment tool(aat)

?pedagogic and strategic resources.

F.learning methodology (met)

G.support   documentation and other materials (doc)

H.evaluation(eva)

?academic staff resources.