Laboratory instruction in engineering education

Laboratory instruction develops students' experimental skills, ability to work in teams and communicate effectively, learn from failure, and be responsible for their own results. There are three types of educational laboratories in engineering education. The oldest one is known as a hands-on laboratory with real instruments, the second is a simulated or virtual laboratory, while the last one is a remote or distributed learning laboratory. The effectiveness of any type of a laboratory depends upon the learning objectives that are associated with the laboratory. The laboratory environments may already involve a blend of hands-on, computer-assisted and simulated tools. Last year, a few educational laboratories were renovated and modernised in the authors' institutions. These activities were carried out in accordance with the laboratory development plans of institutions and were based on the needs of study programmes. The modernised laboratory is a challenge to academic staff to develop new and more effective laboratory instruction. In developing the laboratory, students' attitudes towards laboratory instruction was taken into consideration as well.