1.1 Introduction
Physics Laboratory experimentation plays a critical role in the education of engineers, with the increase of students choosing to obtain their education online through Distance Learning programs, something must be done to allow them to gain practice with experimental techniques. In a “traditional” Physics laboratory experiment, students physically interact with an apparatus to obtain experimental data. Remote Laboratories are meant to offer a similar learning experience that is equivalent to, or as close as possible to the physical one, by allowing a user to control the apparatus from a remote location using mechatronic control hardware, integrated with data acquisition software.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Distance learning has been implemented for decades and has proven to be a viable alternative to traditional learning practices (Teja et al., 2005). A major bottleneck occurs when a student must obtain his or her own data through an experiment or laboratory work instead of interpreting data that is provided in a lecture or homework problem. This presents a problem, as it is important for a student to get hands-on learning when preparing for a future in industry (Sheppard et al., 2008). There is currently no system in place that allows a remote user to have exactly the same experience as a student who is physically able to participate in an experiment. As a result, the remote user is not able to develop the essential problem solving. Many individual Remote Laboratory experiments have been created, but there has been little development on making an entire sequence of hands-on laboratory experiences accessible to remote users (Schaefer et al., 2008).
Every science subject has their own set of experiments that need some specific requirements. So, in a way every laboratory is different. While designing a laboratory these requirements should be kept in mind. We have discussed in detail about Chemistry and Biology laboratory in our previous blog post. We will now look into the essential ingredients in making of a Physics laboratory. We will also be covering types of experiments done and respective need of supporting equipment (Labkafe, 2021).
Physics branches out into various topics name and each set of topics have their own set of experiments. Various topics include Electricity & Magnetism, Optics, Gravity, Waves & Sound and Heat & Thermodynamics. And a physics laboratory gives us a perfect chance to build upon the basics taught in class related to the above-mentioned topics (Labkafe, 2021).
Designing a lab, one should consider the number of students working simultaneously, types of experiments to be done, storage needs and amount of workable space available. A typical Physics laboratory has workbenches with raceway to facilitate electrical connection. These workbenches can also have base cabinets to store different equipment. Full height cabinets are also used to store equipment that isn’t used on daily basis. Apart from these, Teacher's table, first aid kit, safety chart, and fire extinguisher are other necessary requirements. Designing is crucial as it makes sure easy movement around the workbenches and optimum space for experiments (Labkafe, 2021).
1.3 Statement of Problems
Due to the number of students, who need the attention of the lecturers, the lab-scientist hurries over his work without adequate attention and expertise. The keeping and retrieval of accurate records an students are poorly carried out in most of Physics laboratories. Files may be misplaced the record in them might be wrongly filled. Finally the keeping of folder for each student manually takes a lot of time and money. Some of the information are redundant. All these have no effect on loss of lines and inefficiency on the part of management.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to Design and Implement a Plan Maintenance Guide for Physics Laboratory. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows to design and develop a system that will:
- Provide information for Physics Laboratory Maintenance
- Provide experimental foundation for theoretical concepts taught in class
- Enable Students to be able to identify equipment, their function and explain & predict observable phenomena taught in related lectures.
- Assess the competence with lab equipment and measuring devices are expected in addendum to precise recording of data.
1.5 Significance of Study
This study will be of immense benefit to lab scientist, students and other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.6 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Design and Implementation of Plan Maintenance Guide for Physics Laboratory, using Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti as a case study.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this institution to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
1.8 Definition of Terms
- Agent: A representative who act on behalf of other person or organization.
- Management: This is the acting management handling, directing or control, it can also be looked at as skill in managing executive ability. It is also considered as the person or persons controlling and directing the affairs of an instruction or business.
- Computer: This is an electronic machine operator under the control of instruction, store in its own memory unit which can accept data, process these data without human intervention, producing output from the processor and store both the data and output for future use.
- Implement: To put something into effect or action.
- Contract: This is form or a legally binding agreement between the parties identities in the agreement of fulfill all the terms and condition outlined in the agreement.
- Design: The act of creating an objects form and functions. Design can involve making products, machines purpose and are pleasing to the eye as well.
- Information: This is a data that has been processed in a useful format that will enable an individual to gain knowledge in order to make decision.
- Online: An activated and read for operation, that is capable or communicating with or being controlled by a computer. “An outlining database.
- Software: Computer software and program instruction that control and coordinated the activities of the computer hardware and direct the processing of data.
- System: A system is said to be a group of things or a set of components, ideas, theories procedures etc working together for which a particular or specific objective can be acquired.
