Developing Virtual Laboratory for Distance Learning Practical Activities: Waterfall Iterative Model Approach
Universitas Terbuka (UT) with its open and distance learning (ODL) system, faces challenges in delivering practical courses that require hands-on experience with complex technologies. In the Universitas Terbuka Data Science Study Program, the NoSQL Database course requires practical mastery of MongoDB, a document-oriented database system widely used in industry. However, implementing practical courses in the ODL context is hampered by limited computing resources, software installation issues, diverse system configurations, and the lack of a standardized laboratory environment. This research aims to develop a cloud-based Virtual Laboratory to support NoSQL Database practicals. System development was conducted using a Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) approach with an iterative waterfall model, enabling structured development and continuous improvement based on user feedback. This virtual laboratory allows students to perform key MongoDB operations remotely without the need for software installation on personal devices. Evaluation results show that the WEBSSH mechanism performs better than VPLSSH, with a performance score increasing from 3.08 to 3.15. Although paired t-tests showed no statistically significant differences, student feedback indicated improved ease of use, clarity of guidance, and confidence in performing the lab. These findings indicate that the iteratively developed virtual lab effectively supports MongoDB labs in distance learning systems.
6Sense Insights, I. (2025). MongoDB. Https://6sense.Com/Tech/Nosql-Databases/Mongodb-Market-Share. https://6sense.com/tech/nosql-databases/mongodb-market-share
Bhatnagar, N., Causer, V., Lucci, M., Pry, M., & Zilic, D. (2024). Developing a Data Analytics Practicum Course. Information Systems Education Journal, 22(2), 47–69. https://doi.org/10.62273/qfmi6491
Broisin, J., Venant, R., & Vidal, P. (2017). Lab4CE: a Remote Laboratory for Computer Education. International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education, 27(1), 154–180. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40593-015-0079-3
Cordero, C. A. (2023). Iterative Development: Going with the Flow to Improve Care. Frontiers of Health Services Management, 40(2), 10–15. https://doi.org/10.1097/HAP.0000000000000182
El Kharki, K., Berrada, K., & Burgos, D. (2021). Design and Implementation of a Virtual Laboratory for Physics Subjects in Moroccan Universities. Sustainability, 13(7), 3711. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13073711
Geigle, C., Sundaram, H., Lourentzou, I., & Zhai, C. X. (2018). CLaDS: A cloud-based virtual lab for the delivery of scalable hands-on assignments for practical data science education. Annual Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education, ITiCSE, 176–181. https://doi.org/10.1145/3197091.3197135
Holdgraf, C., Culich, A., Rokem, A., Deniz, F., Alegro, M., & Ushizima, D. (2017). Portable Learning Environments for Hands-On Computational Instruction. Practice and Experience in Advanced Research Computing 2017: Sustainability, Success and Impact, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1145/3093338.3093370
Hulai, O., Shemet, V., Moroz, I., Savaryn, P., & Kabak, V. (2024). USING THE LABSTER VIRTUAL LABORATORY TO STUDY CHEMISTRY AT A TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY. Information Technologies and Learning Tools, 102(4), 95–107. https://doi.org/10.33407/itlt.v102i4.5737
Ionascu, A., & Stefaniga, S.-A. (2020). DS Lab Notebook: A new tool for data science applications. 2020 22nd International Symposium on Symbolic and Numeric Algorithms for Scientific Computing (SYNASC), 310–314. https://doi.org/10.1109/SYNASC51798.2020.00056
Ishaq, M., Abid, A., Farooq, M. S., Manzoor, M. F., Farooq, U., Abid, K., & Helou, M. A. (2023). Advances in database systems education: Methods, tools, curricula, and way forward. Education and Information Technologies, 28(3), 2681–2725. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11293-0
Kikari, A. B., Mwisomba, C., Karawa, C. J., Salawa, J. S., & Ally, J. S. (2024). Development of Biology Virtual Laboratory. East African Journal of Information Technology, 7(1), 167–172. https://doi.org/10.37284/eajit.7.1.2033
Li, J., & Liang, W. (2024). Effectiveness of virtual laboratory in engineering education: A meta-analysis. PLOS ONE, 19(12), e0316269. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0316269
Madubuike, C. E., Chidiebere Onuora, A., & Ezeorah, E. U. (2023). A Review of Virtual Programming Laboratory: Design Issues. International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology. www.irjet.net
Miedema, D., Taipalus, T., Ajanovski, V. V., Alawini, A., Goodfellow, M., Liut, M., Peltsverger, S., & Young, T. (2025). Data Systems Education: Curriculum Recommendations, Course Syllabi, and Industry Needs. 2024 Working Group Reports on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education, 95–123. https://doi.org/10.1145/3689187.3709609
Mohan, S. (2018). Teaching NoSQL databases to undergraduate students - A novel approach. SIGCSE 2018 - Proceedings of the 49th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, 2018-January, 314–319. https://doi.org/10.1145/3159450.3159554
Popa, O., Mihele, C., Făgărăşan, C., & Pîslă, A. (2021). Leadership approach towards Agile, Waterfall and Iterative implementation of the software development products. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 1169(1), 012017. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/1169/1/012017
Rahman, S., Rahman, Md. A., Tabassum, S., Alam, F., Hasan, M., & Khan, T. Z. (2026). A Case Study on an Inexperienced Team Using Waterfall for Game Development (pp. 216–225). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-13419-6_21
Rampure, S., Shen, A., & Hug, J. (2021). Experiences Teaching a Large Upper-Division Data Science Course Remotely. Proceedings of the 52nd ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, 523–528. https://doi.org/10.1145/3408877.3432561
Rathore, M., & Bagui, S. S. (2024). MongoDB: Meeting the Dynamic Needs of Modern Applications. Encyclopedia, 4(4), 1433–1453. https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia4040093
Sallu, S., Harsono, Y., & Fajarianto, O. (2023). Implementation of Waterfall Method in Model Development to Improve Learning Quality of Computer Network Courses. Jurnal Teknologi Pendidikan, 25(3), 496–513. https://doi.org/10.21009/JTP2001.6
Sharma, M., & Bowman, A. (2025). Teaching Tip Integrating NoSQL Databases Into a Data Analytics Course. Journal of Information Systems Education, 36(1), 25–36. https://doi.org/10.62273/IQJV6614
Sriadhi, S., Hamid, A., & Restu, R. (2022). Web-Based Virtual Laboratory Development for Basic Practicums in Science and Technology. TEM Journal, 396–402. https://doi.org/10.18421/TEM111-50
Sridharan, B., & McKay, J. (2026). Adaptation of Iterative Waterfall Model for Implementing AACSB Assurance of Learning System (pp. 327–336). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-99353-4_28
Tripathi, N. (2025). NoSQL database education: A review of models, tools and teaching methods. Journal of Systems and Software, 226, 112391. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2025.112391
Tunç-Pekkan, Z., & Taylan, R. D. (2024). A new learning community for educating future teachers: Online Laboratory School. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 55(8), 1831–1852. https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2022.2081627
Viegas, C., Pavani, A., Lima, N., Marques, A., Pozzo, I., Dobboletta, E., Atencia, V., Barreto, D., Calliari, F., Fidalgo, A., Lima, D., Temporão, G., & Alves, G. (2018). Impact of a remote lab on teaching practices and student learning. Computers & Education, 126, 201–216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2018.07.012
Wang, H., & Wang, S. (2023). Teaching Tip Teaching NoSQL Databases in a Database Course for Business Students. Journal of Information Systems Education, 34(1), 32–39.
Werner, A. (2022). Applying NoSQL Data Adapter with the Learning Paths mechanism for better knowledge transfer in the age of distance learning. Procedia Computer Science, 207, 3330–3339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2022.09.391
Werner, A., & Bach, M. (2018). NoSQL E-learning Laboratory—Interactive Querying of MongoDB and CouchDB and Their Conversion to a Relational Database (pp. 581–592). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-67792-7_56
Wu, W. (2022). Investigating Internship Experiences of Data Science Students for Curriculum Enhancement. Proceedings of the 27th ACM Conference on on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education Vol. 1, 505–511. https://doi.org/10.1145/3502718.3524741
Yu, B., Liu, Y., Fan, Y., Liu, S., Li, X., & Li, R. (2025). Enhancing Student Motivation and Competencies via the WWH Teaching Method: A Case Study on the NoSQL Database Course. Electronics, 14(22), 4453. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics14224453
Zhang, N., & Liu, Y. (2024). Design and implementation of virtual laboratories for higher education sustainability: a case study of Nankai University. Frontiers in Education, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1322263
Zinovieva, I. S., Artemchuk, V. O., Iatsyshyn, Anna V., Romanenko, Y. O., Popov, O. O., Kovach, V. O., Taraduda, D. V., & Iatsyshyn, Andrii V. (2021). The use of MOOCs as additional tools for teaching NoSQL in blended and distance learning mode. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1946(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1946/1/012011
Copyright (c) 2026 Fonda Leviany, Fitria Amastini, Dimas Agung Prasetyo, Denisha Trihapningsari
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
The journal allows the author(s) to hold the copyright without restrictions. Finally, the journal allows the author(s) to retain publishing rights without restrictions
 | Jurnal Inovasi Teknologi Pendidikan by http://journal.uny.ac.id/index.php/jitp is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. |
