Faculty member finds advantages in using remote applications for teaching and learning

“Users will use a web browser to visit the website (https://remoteapps.psu.edu) and log on with their Penn State credentials,” said Jonathan Holman, CLC information technology manager. “From there, they will then have access to the suite of applications that we currently have available. It's pretty simple to get started and doesn't require anything from the user except a web browser and java properly installed. Students are able to access the software from anywhere they have an Internet connection.”

Remote applications have much potential for use by faculty in their courses. One faculty member that is using remote applications is Asad Azemi, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Engineering at Penn State Brandywine. This semester he is using, MATLAB, a high-level computer language and interactive environment, in his computer science course CMPSC 200 - Programming for Engineers with MATLAB.

Dr. Azemi said he uses MATLAB several ways in CMPSC 200. “The students have access to the remote apps so they can do their homework, quizzes, and even take exams where they need access to programs,” he said. “I also use them during class time if I need to demonstrate a program or show something that requires demonstration.”

MATLAB gives CMPSC 200 students several significant benefits, Dr. Azemi said. “The advantages for us are kind of big. From the student standpoint, they do not need to purchase software, which is a saving for them,” he said. “Also, they can have access to the latest version of MATLAB and they can access it from anywhere. They don’t have to be on campus.”

In the past, Dr. Azemi notes, many students would not have constant access to MATLAB due to financial reasons.  “We do have MATLAB on our computer labs but when they went home they didn’t have access to it and that kind of restricted them,” he said. “In the past about 30-40 percent bought MATLAB but not everyone can afford to buy it.”

Some faculty would not have off-campus access to it either, Dr. Azemi said. The remote apps version of MATLAB allows faculty to work with it from home or while traveling.

As far as learning how to use remote apps, Dr. Azemi said minimal training was needed. Gary Chinn, eLearning Initiative project manager with the Leonhard Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Education, helped him with some light initial training. Along with training, the Leonard Center provided funding. 

With Chinn's assistance, Dr. Azemi learned how students can access the software. He also tested it before debuting it in class and received plenty of assistance from CLC in adding something he felt was needed.

MATLAB Screenshot

“I basically played with the software in the summer so if there was something that we needed to add, it quickly was added,” Dr. Azemi said. “So, basically, it was very easy to incorporate it into the course. It really is a tool that is very useful for what I am doing.”

As far as support with MATLAB during the semester, Dr. Azemi was pleased. He said response time was short. “Gary and also the remote apps (CLC) folks had a very quick response if, say, students said something is not working,” he said. “The were very eager to fix the problem.”

Dr. Azemi was so encouraged by his experience with remote apps that he recommends other faculty use them. In fact, he would like to see the program expanded.

“I am very much in support of the remote apps cloud approach. I think it’s very useful for teaching and research. Given the size and spread of Penn State, it’s great for making expensive and high maintenance software packages accessible to all of Penn State,” Dr. Azemi said. “I encourage the University to consider expanding this as much as possible and put in as much resources as needed because I think it really helps out our students.”

For more information on remote applications, please go to: http://clc.its.psu.edu/labs/windows/software/remoteapps.