The Development of On-line Experiments

Abstract. Simulations and animations using embedded Java applets have greatly increased scientific use of the Internet. Nevertheless, the most dramatic impact of the web upon science is still to come. Although not conceived as a way to interact with remote equipment, the Internet is well suited to such an application. There are persuasive pedagogical arguments in favour of allowing students to access real equipment (rather than just simulations) through the web. Most crucially, the range of challenging and innovative experiments available to students at every level can be greatly increased. This paper briefly considers some of the factors to be taken into account when on-line experiments are being develope