Application of remote experiments in basic education through mobile devices

This paper presents some findings related to the experience of developing and deploying an software application aimed at using remote experimentation with mobile devices and the use of Virtual Learning Environments (VLE) as tools to support teaching and learning. Currently the technological resources have been misused in education, and the potential use of mobile devices in education is virtually untapped. The architecture implemented enables the users to control real experiments and to monitor results via video streaming, which provides a sense of involvement similar to hands-on laboratories. The authors describe the deployment of this mobile learning tool in a second year Brazilian public high school. The mobile application uses HTML5, CSS3 and jQuery Mobile in order to maintain compatibility among the platforms widely used. The VLE Moodle has been used in order to provide homework, assignments and teaching material. The experiments have been automated using open hardware and software sources, which facilitate replication in different areas.