Why should I buy VDAS® e-lab rather than simply send my students a file of experiment data?
VDAS® e-lab encourages students to actively engage in the process and allows students to capture their own unique data set in direct response to observing the experiments in real time. This provides a better learning experience as the student observes the experimental procedure and may often need to request specific changes of the experimental parameters. The possibilities for plagiarism are greatly diminished, with lecturers being able to identify exactly who has participated in the experiment and, where doubts may exist, compare data sets between students.

If I already have VDAS® software, can I use this remotely?
No, you will need to download the latest VDAS® (4.0.0 upwards) AND the institution will need to purchase an annual VDAS® e-lab licence that will enable you to use the VDAS® e-lab remote live data-sharing functionality.

When I purchase VDAS® e-lab, do you send the software by post?
No, visit www.tecquipment.com/downloads to download the latest version of the VDAS® software. It is the same version of the software for both the person demonstrating the physical experiment and the student remotely receiving live experiment data. The VDAS® e-lab licence unlocks the remote capability within VDAS®. 

Can I use the same VDAS® e-lab licence on multiple computers?
The licence is specific to the experiment and can be easily transferred to other computers. 

If I have a single licence for one experiment, can I use it on different physical versions of that experiment? For example, I have one Universal Testing Machine on site 1 but I also want to use it with another Universal Testing Machine that is located on site 2.
Yes, it is not specific to the single product, but it is specific to the experiment.

Do my students need a licence of VDAS® e-lab?
Not if they are receiving the live experiment data. Students download the latest version of VDAS® (4.0.0 upwards) and will be given a connection ID from the demonstrator, who requires the licence to be active on their PC. The demonstrator could also be a student who has been provided with the licence information.

How do I renew the annual licence?
You will be contacted by TecQuipment near your renewal date about the renewals process. 

What are the computer and Internet requirements for students to run VDAS® e-lab?
Students and the demonstrator each require a computer with Windows 8 or 10 operating system and 500 Mb of hard disk space, plus at least an Intel 5 or equivalent processor. A maximum Internet speed of 1 Mbps is required. For many VDAS® experiments, the requirement is much less than this.

Is the data stored in the cloud?
No, the cloud is used to distribute the data only.

How does VDAS® connect to the network?
The VDAS® hardware connects to a PC, which must be connected via WiFi/Ethernet to the internet and the cloud to share the data.

Is a demo licence available?
Yes, for a two-week free demonstration licence please contact sales@tecquipment.com

What is the difference between VDAS® software and VDAS® e-lab?
The VDAS® software is part of the entire VDAS® solution from TecQuipment that includes hardware that is either Onboard, or available separately. VDAS® e-lab is the remote data transfer functionality within the VDAS® software. VDAS® software is available free of charge, but in order to access the VDAS® e-lab remote data functionality an annual licence is required.
 

Can students work independently recording and analysing experiment data?
Yes, because each student is working within their own version of VDAS®, receiving the live experiment data through the VDAS® e-lab functionality.
 

Can experiment data be shared?
Yes, they can either save the experiment data as a .dat file that can be opened within VDAS® by another person, or exported as an Excel or HTML document. If you are running an online classroom session at the same time, there is the option to share your screen as well.

What teaching equipment can I use VDAS® e-lab with?
The teaching equipment needs to be VDAS® enabled and have VDAS® either Onboard or have a separate VDAS® hardware unit (VDAS®-B or VDAS®-F) connected to the apparatus and a suitable computer running VDAS® 4.0.0 or higher. 

Do I need VDAS® integrating hardware (VDAS®-B and VDAS®-F)?
If the experiment does not have VDAS® Onboard, you need to have a VDAS® hardware unit connected to the teaching equipment and the demonstrator’s computer running VDAS® with VDAS® e-lab enabled.

Remote View hardware: Frequently asked questions

Can I run VDAS® e-lab separately to the Remote View Hardware?
Yes, they are entirely independent of each other.

Can I use the Remote View Hardware with other equipment?
Yes, this is independent to VDAS® and VDAS® e-lab. You can use it on non-VDAS®-enabled TecQuipment products like the  Engineering Science range, and third-party non-TecQuipment teaching apparatus in your laboratories.

You recommend using ManyCam to integrate the live streaming of multiple cameras into one visual feed, but can I use other software for this function?
Yes, other options are available on the market. We recommend ManyCam because of its extensive functionality and that it is compatible with the major online meeting classroom platforms.