Preliminary Evaluation of RHL-RELIA Post-development

Leveraging the Remote Hub Lab (RHL/RHLab) research group's work on democratizing educational access, RHLab, in partnership with LabsLand, has developed the Remote Engineering Lab for Inclusive Access (RELIA/RHL-RELIA). This initiative introduces an educational tool specifically designed for communication courses, aiming to promote learning experiences in technical education. RHL-RELIA, built upon Software Defined Radio (SDR) technology, offers a novel approach to manipulating radio-frequency (RF) hardware through programming, aiming to promote the learning experience in wireless communication. This study presents an initial evaluation of RHL-RELIA post its development, focusing on its usability and educational impact, particularly for students with limited experience in RF technology. The assessment involved three engineering students testing the system, providing feedback on its interface design and effectiveness in facilitating remote experimentation. The preliminary findings suggest that RHLRELIA is successful in improving the efficiency of completing assignments and making complex wireless concepts more accessible. Future work will include a comprehensive evaluation of RHL-RELIA within a classroom environment, involving a more diverse student population to assess its adaptability and overall educational impact. Future studies will employ mixed methods, including surveys and interviews, to gain a deeper understanding of RHL-RELIA's role in enhancing engineering education.