Borderless Lab 365: a real-time web-based remote laboratory platform for Hong Kong high school students in response to the pandemic

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, distance learning is inevitable, and technology is greatly incorporated in education. However, it is challenging for science educators as there are more physical and instrumental constraints in laboratory learning than usual. A real-time web-based remote laboratory platform provides more experimental opportunities for high school students anywhere/anytime. The current project is to develop an online laboratory platform, Borderless-Lab-365 (BL365). Through the server, the experiment setups residing in the university receive commands from users and make responses. The new designed platform is more engaging with live streaming and interactive interface adjusting parameters instantly. It stands out from virtual lab using computer simulations, randomness and errors arisen in real experiments can be investigated and experimental skills are needed. The platform was successfully implemented. One hundred and one participants aged 13–19 from five secondary schools completed a user survey after performing experiments on BL365. Students were encouraged to learn new things and gained better understanding.