Abstract: A system and method for distance learning that can be used to teach a typical IT training course. In one aspect, a student that desires to perform remotely an exercise from an IT training course uses his/her Java-capable browser to connect to a distance learning web server. The web server downloads to the browser a list of exercises that the student can choose from. After the student selects an exercise, the web server launches the virtual machines that are needed for the student to perform the selected exercise. The virtual machines are launched on a computer system that is remote from the student, but the computer system includes a remote display server. After the virtual machines are launched on the remote system, a remote display viewer is loaded in the student's browser and the remote display viewer connects to the remote display server. After the viewer connects to the remote display server, the viewer displays one or more of the virtual machines in a window on the student's computer.

Abstract: An IT skills evaluation system and method for evaluating an individual's IT skills. According to one aspect of the invention, the individual is required to perform one or more practical exercises. A practical exercise is an evaluation device for evaluating not only an individual's knowledge, but also the individual's ability to apply their knowledge. One or more virtual machines are associated with each practical exercise, and the test taker must use these virtual machines to complete the exercise. In one aspect, a skills evaluation system according to one embodiment includes a testing computer on which the following software is installed: a virtual machine platform for allowing multiple virtual machines to run simultaneously on the testing computer and a practical skills evaluator for presenting exams to a test taker and scoring the exam. An exam is made up of one or more practical exercise.

Abstract: A system and method for distance learning that can be used to teach a typical IT training course. In one aspect, a student that desires to perform remotely an exercise from an IT training course uses his/her Java-capable browser to connect to a distance learning web server. The web server downloads to the browser a list of exercises that the student can choose from. After the student selects an exercise, the web server launches the virtual machines that are needed for the student to perform the selected exercise. The virtual machines are launched on a computer system that is remote from the student, but the computer system includes a remote display server. After the virtual machines are launched on the remote system, a remote display viewer is loaded in the student's browser and the remote display viewer connects to the remote display server. After the viewer connects to the remote display server, the viewer displays one or more of the virtual machines in a window on the student's computer.

Abstract: An IT skills evaluation system and method for evaluating an individual's IT skills. According to one aspect of the invention, the individual is required to perform one or more practical exercises. A practical exercise is an evaluation device for evaluating not only an individual's knowledge, but also the individual's ability to apply their knowledge. One or more virtual machines are associated with each practical exercise, and the test taker must use these virtual machines to complete the exercise. In one aspect, a skills evaluation system according to one embodiment includes a testing computer on which the following software is installed: a virtual machine platform for allowing multiple virtual machines to run simultaneously on the testing computer and a practical skills evaluator for presenting exams to a test taker and scoring the exam. An exam is made up of one or more practical exercise.