Enhancing technical training quality - Complementing the e-Learning solutions with virtual laboratories

Nowadays, while the evolution of computer science technologies is amazing, the companies' CEOs face the challenge of keeping their employees competence on the highest level. In order to enjoy high prestige, the managing directors have to craft an innovative corporate image. This is not possible with the lack of suitably trained staff. E-learning offers modem ways of training employees, but to benefit from it, it has to be properly deployed and ensure that learners gleaned good knowledge, fully understood the material and what is most important gained proper practical skills. The virtual laboratories included in e-Learning platforms fill the gap arose from the lack of practical exercises that are available in instructor-led trainings. Moreover, the individuals have the ability to do exercise by oneself and develop their practical skills when they want. This paper presents an original project of a virtual laboratory developed at the Department of Computer Science AGH-UST. The virtual networking laboratory is an e-Learning platform extension, aiding the process of computer network training.