Dhanush Kumar

@amrita.edu

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham

https://researchid.co/dhanushkumar

Scopus Publications

Scholar Citations

Scholar h-index

Scholar i10-index

Scopus Publications

What virtual laboratory usage tells us about laboratory skill education pre- and post-COVID-19: Focus on usage, behavior, intention and adoption
Rakhi Radhamani, Dhanush Kumar, Nijin Nizar, Krishnashree Achuthan, Bipin Nair, and Shyam Diwakar
Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Computational Exploration of Neural Dynamics Underlying Music Cues among Trained and Amateur Subjects
Akhil Kalariparambil Santhosh, Muralikrishna Sangilirajan, Nijin Nizar, Rakhi Radhamani, Dhanush Kumar, Sandeep Bodda, and Shyam Diwakar
Elsevier BV

Computational analysis of cortical EEG biosignals and neural dynamics underlying an integrated mind-body relaxation technique
Rakhi Radhamani, Nijin Nizar, Dhanush Kumar, Gayathri Suresh Pillai, Lakshmi Swapna Prasad, Sreehari Sudheer Jitha, Midhun Krishna Vannathi Kuniyil, Abhijith Anil Sekhar, Vaishnav Satheesh Kumar, Shobhana Pillai,et al.
Elsevier BV

Using Learning Theory for Assessing Effectiveness of Laboratory Education Delivered via a Web-Based Platform
Shyam Diwakar, Rakhi Radhamani, Nijin Nizar, Dhanush Kumar, Bipin Nair, and Krishnashree Achuthan
Springer International Publishing

Mathematical Models as Bioscience Educational Informatics Tools
Dhanush Kumar, Pratheeksha Subramanyan, Amitha Prasad, Athira Kaimal, Aiswarya Santhosh, Bipin Nair, Krishnashree Achuthan, and Shyam Diwakar
IEEE
Organizations and universities have started preparing teachers and students to use mathematical models delivered through technology for improving student's understanding of concepts, pedagogy and laboratory skill training. Bioscience education has started involving virtual laboratories as an appropriate technology to allow student's reflective learning. This paper showcases recent attempts in using mathematical models as virtual laboratories in enhancing biology education. The purpose of this article is to list common simulations used in demonstration of classroom topics in undergraduate and postgraduate bioscience education in India and a review of the effectiveness of virtual labs in blended classroom education. Based on our experience of having designed, developed and deployed 360+ online experiments, this paper also reports usage-based studies in augmenting student learning and choice of models that help design such online tools.

Experimental Recording and Computational Analysis of EEG signals for a Squeeze Task: Assessments and Impacts for Applications
Maya Krishnan, Liya Edison, Rakhi Radhamani, Nijin Nizar, Dhanush Kumar, Manjusha Nair, Bipin Nair, and Shyam Diwakar
IEEE
Localization of neural activities from electroencephalography measurements and attributing a motor task to its neural signature is becoming a trend in neuroscience and brain computer interface research. For elucidating brain functions in healthy subjects and motor dysfunctions patients, a motor-related squeeze task, a simple daily task was employed in this study. Using low-cost electroencephalography devices in mapping human brain for understanding neural microcircuitry roles during a squeeze task as a biomarker for brain function was the objective. EEG data was recorded from eight healthy right-handed volunteers (4 female and 4 male) of different age group, performing squeeze task on a rubber ball applying graded forces. Using time and frequency domain analysis, we show frontal asymmetry attributed to activity from electrodes in AF3, AF4, F3, F4, F7 and F8 role-specific regions for identifying motor planning and motor execution characterized by predominant mu and beta oscillations.

Implementation of analog electrical neurons as virtual labs for neuroscience education
Nijin Nizar, Rakhi Radhamani, Dhanush Kumar, Bipin Nair, Shyam Diwakar, and Krishnashree Achuthan
IEEE
Over the last few years, research was aimed to investigate neuromorphic computing methodologies for understanding the functions and behavior of biological neurons on a real-time basis. In neuron electrical models, the principles of computational neuroscience is translated on to analog hardware and the circuits reproduces the bio-physical properties of neurons. Our aim was to implement analog neuron models based on Hodgkin-Huxley formalism, and to deploy it as an educational platform for understanding the cellular and behavioral neuroscience. We have taken multiple analog hardware models and implemented its corresponding equivalent for studying the pedagogical concepts such as spiking, bursting, effects of ion channels, effect of pharmacological agents on spiking properties. We implemented remote electrical laboratories for science and engineering education bridging computing systems and neural studies. Initial implementation of the remote labs were done with commercial software which was later replaced with Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) architecture. Pedagogical analysis indicated, effectiveness in the usage of analog neuron model as a learning material for complementing neuroscience education in universities. Post-deployment studies on students and teachers includes perceived use of remote experimentation in a blended classroom scenario.

Low cost neuro-inspired robots for sustainable laboratory education
Rakhi Radhamani, Nijin Nizar, Dhanush Kumar, Bipin Nair, Krishnashree Achuthan, and Shyam Diwakar
IEEE
Today's technological innovations accelerate the persistence of robots for humanitarian purposes. As a significant component, the emerging role of robotics and educational technologies has been growing instantly. Several attempts have been introduced in the education sector to promote robotics education, but successful implementation of learning platforms still pose challenges. This paper highlights deployment studies based on a low cost bio-inspired robotics laboratory. The experiments were developed as part of a National Mission on Education through ICT, and provided free access to users all over the world. The present study seeks to examine the role of low cost remotely controlled neuro-inspired robotics labs as an educational tool. Our goal was to analyze the diffusion of remotely controlled robotics labs as a new pedagogy for augmenting laboratory education, by enhancing skill training among students, aiding as a teaching element and promoting distant education thereby bringing a sustainable development in robotics based education. Feedback data was collected from 100 science and engineering students, 50 university professors and 100 online users from distant locations to analyze remote robotics labs as an adaptable tool in education. The study suggested perceived usefulness of low cost robotics platform as a supplementary learning and teaching tool for enhancing robotics education. The study also promotes the perceived usage of robotics for vocational skills and as a technology education platform for learners.

Online bio-robotics labs: Open hardware models and architecture
Dhanush Kumar, Krishnashree Achuthan, Bipin Nair, and Shyam Diwakar
IEEE
This paper is on free and open source software architecture (FOSS) for remote labs in order to address the affordability and scalability of robotic education technology for sustainable deployments. The proposed Raspberry Pi-Arduino-based model architecture ensures lower cost while allowing some scalability, interoperability, portability and interchangeability to the low-cost online laboratory. Remotely controlled lab provides training skills in bio-inspired robotics. Our previous studies had shown that the implementation of remotely controlled online labs in the curriculum improved active learning among students, collaboration, and augmented problem solving skills. The preliminary implementation involved proprietary software, as the remote experiment accessibility platform, which was later replaced with FOSS technology. The advantages with FOSS included a significantly lower cost and scalability for concurrent usage. The paper also reports on usage analysis and common issues in both cases of implementations.

Enabling a freely accessible open source remotely controlled robotic articulator with a neuro-Inspired control algorithm
Asha Vijayan, Chaitanya Nutakki, Dhanush Kumar, Krishnashree Achuthan, Bipin Nair, and Shyam Diwakar
International Association of Online Engineering (IAOE)
Internet-enabled technologies for robotics education are gaining importance as online platforms promoting skill training. Understanding the use and design of robotics are now introduced at university undergraduate levels, but in developing economies establishing usable hardware and software platforms face several challenges like cost, equipment etc. Remote labs help providing alternatives to some of the challenges. We developed an online laboratory for bioinspired robotics using a low-cost 6 degree-of-freedom robotic articulator with a neuro-inspired controller. Cerebellum-inspired neural network algorithm approximates forward and inverse kinematics for movement coordination. With over 210000 registered users, the remote lab has been perceived as an interactive online learning tool and a practice platform. Direct feedback from 60 students and 100 university teachers indicated that the remote laboratory motivated self-organized learning and was useful as teaching material to aid robotics skill education.

Implementing a web-based simulator with explicit neuron and synapse models to aid experimental neuroscience and theoretical biophysics education
Aadityan Sridharan, Hemalatha Sasidharakurup, Dhanush Kumar, Nijin Nizar, Bipin Nair, Krishnashree Achuthan, and Shyam Diwakar
Springer India

Implementing and deploying magnetic material testing as an online laboratory
Rakhi Radhamani, Dhanush Kumar, Krishnashree Achuthan, Bipin Nair, and Shyam Diwakar
Springer International Publishing

Complementing education via virtual labs: Implementation and deployment of remote laboratories and usage analysis in south indian villages
Shyam Diwakar, Dhanush Kumar, Rakhi Radhamani, Hemalatha Sasidharakurup, Nijin Nizar, Krishnashree Achuthan, Prema Nedungadi, Raghu Raman, and Bipin Nair
International Association of Online Engineering (IAOE)
ICT-enabled virtual and remote labs have become a platform augmenting user engagement in blended education scenarios enhancing University education in rural India. A novel trend is the use of remote laboratories as learning and teaching tools in classrooms and elsewhere. This paper reports case studies based on our deployment of 20 web-based virtual labs with more than 170+ online experiments in Biotechnology and Biomedical engineering discipline with content for undergraduate and postgraduate education. Via hands-on workshops and direct feedback using questionnaires, we studied the role of remote lab experiments as learning and teaching tools. Although less reliable than direct feedback, we also included online feedback to perceive blended and remote learning styles among various users. Student and teacher user groups suggested significant usage adaptability of experimental process and indicated usage of remote labs as supplementary tools for complementing laboratory education. Usage analysis implicated the role of online labs as interactive textbooks augmenting student interaction and positive correlates to learning.

Assessing students and teachers experience on simulation and remote biotechnology virtual labs: A case study with a light microscopy experiment
Shyam Diwakar, Rakhi Radhamani, Hemalatha Sasidharakurup, Dhanush Kumar, Nijin Nizar, Krishnashree Achuthan, and Bipin Nair
Springer International Publishing

Role of Biotechnology simulation and remotely triggered virtual labs in complementing university education
Rakhi Radhamani, Hemalatha Sasidharakurup, Dhanush Kumar, Nijin Nizar, Krishnashree Achuthan, Bipin Nair, and Shyam Diwakar
IEEE
Blended learning has been popularized in many universities in the last decade due to the rapid advances in computer technologies and relative increase in the usage of internet connectivity. A major constraint in providing high quality laboratory resources in some universities and in economically challenged countries is high costs, training personnel, training time and maintenance-related issues. Virtual and remote labs complement the real laboratory resources with virtually defined techniques including simulations, animations, remote triggering of the actual equipment and videos that facilitate user interactions. Our goal was to analyze the effectiveness of biotechnology virtual labs in integrating learning process among school and university students of ages 12-15 years and 17-24 years respectively within India. These labs were developed as part of a National mission on Education through ICT. We also focused on the use of virtual and remote labs as a new pedagogy for distance and mobile learning courses and the context of usage outside scheduled classroom timings. The evaluation of biotechnology virtual labs was performed via surveys, including online and manual feedback reports for analyzing the learning process of various student groups. Studies amongst students of different age groups suggested that virtualization helped their active learning in a traditional classroom scenario. Feedback from student users also indicated virtual and remote labs aided, mobile learning by improving their academic performance, after using virtual and remote labs (post usage) as education platform. Feedback statistics showed 90% of students used biotechnology virtual lab techniques and that helped them to get an actual feel of the experiment. All participants scored more than 70% in the post-test, improving the class average from the pre-test scenario. 91% of teachers who participated in the workshops indicated that they could use virtual and remote labs in their daily teaching process as teaching material thereby reducing their lecture preparation time. Feedback analysis also indicated improved student performance enhancing laboratory education.

Mobile learning and biotechnology education via remote labs: Deployment-based study on real time shared resources
Dhanush Kumar, Hemalatha Sasidharakurup, Rakhi Radhamani, Nijin Nizar, Krishnashree Achuthan, Bipin Nair, and Shyam Diwakar
IEEE
With recent advances in ICT, virtual and remote laboratories have become ubiquitous as a complementary tool allowing student users to access a mobile platform and utilize real-time shared equipment over the internet. In this paper, we explore the role of biotechnology remotely controlled labs in augmenting student education via allowing real time shared resources. We deployed 23 virtual laboratories with 218 virtual experiments in biotechnology to provide an online laboratory experience that allowed students and teachers to share and augment conceptual and practical knowledge. Student users reported high usability and repeatability of experimental process and suggested virtual labs as complementing tool for augmenting student's perception in an active learning scenario. Hybrid approaches in mobile learning indicated student users preferred a blended learning role via classrooms. We also observed that performance in examinations improved with those students using remote labs. We also evaluated the role of virtual labs as a teaching tool for university teachers.

Role of ICT-enabled virtual laboratories in biotechnology education: Case studies on blended and remote learning
Shyam Diwakar, Dhanush Kumar, Rakhi Radhamani, Nijin Nizar, Bipin Nair, Hemalatha Sasidharakurup, and Krishnashree Achuthan
IEEE
Virtual labs are popularized as a visual education tool that offers diverse analysis of experiments through different components like graphics mediated animations, mathematically modeled simulations, user-interactive emulations, remote-triggered experiments and the use of augmented perception haptic devices. With the advances in ICT-based education, virtual labs have become a novel platform that helps users to engage in their proactive learning process. Our goal was to analyze the effective role of biotechnology virtual labs in improving academic performance of students and complementing classroom education. We tested the adaptability, perceived usefulness and ease of use of biotechnology virtual labs on different user groups in sciences and engineering. This study focuses mainly on the student and teacher groups from different universities across India. Feedback data was collected via a direct approach using organized workshops conducted in the year 2014-2015. 85% of participants suggested perceived usefulness of biotechnology virtual labs helped them to improve their academic performance compared to a traditional classroom scenario. Most users indicated the learning materials provided by virtual lab system were easy to understand, thus suggesting the better adaptability of ICT-enabled techniques amongst different users. This augments the role of virtual labs for remote learners all over the world. For India, such learning methods have helped overcome limitations seen in classroom-based education such as equipment accessibility, location and other economic issues. Through these studies, we construe the usage of virtual labs as a next-gen interactive textbook and as a media-rich learning source of distance and blended education.

Implementing a remote-triggered light microscope: Enabling lab access via VALUE Virtual labs
Dhanush Kumar, Hareesh Singanamala, Krishnashree Achuthan, Sanjeeva Srivastava, Bipin Nair, and Shyam Diwakar
ACM
Biotechnology and biology education has been known to show declining student interest due to classroom environments and instructor teaching styles, hence we introduced virtual labs as an interactive self-learning material in a blended environment. With ICT-based education becoming ubiquitous, virtual and remote triggered labs have become a novel platform that helps users to engage in a proactive learning process. A promisingly new trend in virtual labs-based education is the development of remote laboratories that are available over the internet and can be accessed by students and teachers. We implemented and deployed a low-cost light microscope using a simple front-end to enable users to have anytime-anywhere access. This paper reports the implementation, deployment and user-case studies on the learning and usage based on the remote-triggered virtual lab. This study also focuses on the analysis of using remote-triggered experiments as supplementary laboratory resources for overcoming the problems faced in a traditional lab environment. The study used online feedback surveys for evaluating the learning outcome and the flexibility of user-interactions with the remote labs and reports the status of usage of remote triggered techniques in biology courses. The statistical analysis suggests that remote labs are an easy learning and interactive platform for users from different places.

Explicit interactions by users form a critical element in virtual labs aiding enhanced education - A case study from biotechnology virtual labs
Rakhi Radhamani, Hemalatha Sasidharakurup, Dhanush Kumar, Nijin Nizar, Bipin Nair, Krishnashree Achuthan, and Shyam Diwakar
IEEE
Virtual laboratories are ICT tools that are becoming more prevalent in classroom education complementing the lack of resources or tutors while enabling anytime-anywhere student participation scenarios. Specifically disciplines such as biotechnology, which are interaction rich, have seen several types of virtual labs. In this paper, we explore an analysis of student feedback post virtual labs sessions suggesting virtual labs improve teaching and learning experiences via user-interactions. Feedback was collected from undergraduate and postgraduate level students belonging to biotechnology programs. We look at two objectives namely perceived usefulness and the role of interactions on the virtual platform and simulators, in addition to animations. Most data were collected using direct approach via organized workshops. This approach allowed us to extract useful information without concerns of sparseness and unsolicited data compared to remote feedback. Our studies on feedback analysis indicate that student users interpret results in animation based virtual labs. However, a larger percentage of users suggest student usage and performance improved only with interactive simulators rather than animations. Although further tests are being performed, our preliminary studies on 200 participants suggest novel virtual labs models must include a simulation or emulations of lab environment in order to enhance student laboratory skills.

Remote triggered photovoltaic solar cell lab: Effective implementation strategies for Virtual Labs
Joshua Freeman, Akshay Nagarajan, Mithula Parangan, Dhanush Kumar, Shyam Diwakar, and Krishnashree Achuthan
IEEE
Remote triggered laboratories are an excellent way to provide access to costly labs and equipment for students in areas without such facilities. A novel remote triggered photovoltaic solar cell experiment is presented here. This experiment enables the student to learn in a hands-on, practical way about the fundamental characteristics of photovoltaic solar cells. The experiment has a web interface in which the student can turn a number of light bulbs on and off, adjust the load voltage of the solar cell, and view the experiment in real-time via a web-cam. In addition, the characteristics of the solar cells under these various conditions are measured and displayed on the web interface in a spreadsheet and are plotted in a novel and learning-effective manner. This experiment has been hosted on our Virtual Labs website for over a year, with a large number of students using the site. This paper presents implementation strategies and methods used which have proven effective for Virtual Labs, along with a technical description of the experiment and the system used to create and host the experiment.

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

What virtual laboratory usage tells us about laboratory skill education pre-and post-COVID-19: Focus on usage, behavior, intention and adoption
R Radhamani, D Kumar, N Nizar, K Achuthan, B Nair, S Diwakar
Education and information technologies 26 (6), 7477-7495 2021

Signal Processing in Yoga-Related Neural Circuits and Implications of Stretching and Sitting Asana on Brain Function
D Kumar, AC Puthanveedu, K Mohan, LA Priya, A Rajeev, AC Harisudhan, ...
Cybernetics, Cognition and Machine Learning Applications: Proceedings of 2021

Computational analysis of cortical EEG biosignals and neural dynamics underlying an integrated mind-body relaxation technique
R Radhamani, N Nizar, D Kumar, GS Pillai, LS Prasad, SS Jitha, ...
Procedia Computer Science 171, 341-349 2020

Computational exploration of neural dynamics underlying music cues among trained and amateur subjects
AK Santhosh, M Sangilirajan, N Nizar, R Radhamani, D Kumar, S Bodda, ...
Procedia Computer Science 171, 1839-1847 2020

Using learning theory for assessing effectiveness of laboratory education delivered via a web-based platform
S Diwakar, R Radhamani, N Nizar, D Kumar, B Nair, K Achuthan
Smart Industry & Smart Education: Proceedings of the 15th International 2019

Mathematical Models as Bioscience Educational Informatics Tools
D Kumar, P Subramanyan, A Prasad, A Kaimal, A Santhosh, B Nair, ...
2018 International Conference on Advances in Computing, Communications and 2018

Experimental recording and computational analysis of EEG signals for a squeeze task: assessments and impacts for applications
M Krishnan, L Edison, R Radhamani, N Nizar, D Kumar, M Nair, B Nair, ...
2018 International Conference on Advances in Computing, Communications and 2018

Virtual and remote laboratories augment self learning and interactions: Development, deployment and assessments with direct and online feedback
D Kumar, R Radhamani, N Nizar, K Achuthan, B Nair, S Diwakar
PeerJ Preprints 2018

Implementation of analog electrical neurons as virtual labs for neuroscience education
N Nizar, R Radhamani, D Kumar, B Nair, S Diwakar, K Achuthan
2017 International Conference on Advances in Computing, Communications and 2017

Enabling a Freely Accessible Open Source Remotely Controlled Robotic Articulator with a Neuro-Inspired Control Algorithm.
A Vijayan, C Nutakki, D Kumar, K Achuthan, B Nair, S Diwakar
Int. J. Online Eng. 13 (1), 61-75 2017

Online bio-robotics labs: Open hardware models and architecture
D Kumar, K Achuthan, B Nair, S Diwakar
2016 International Conference on Robotics and Automation for Humanitarian 2016

Low cost neuro-inspired robots for sustainable laboratory education
R Radhamani, N Nizar, D Kumar, B Nair, K Achuthan, S Diwakar
2016 International Conference on Robotics and Automation for Humanitarian 2016

Complementing education via virtual labs: Implementation and deployment of remote laboratories and usage analysis in South Indian villages.
S Diwakar, D Kumar, R Radhamani, H Sasidharakurup, N Nizar, ...
Int. J. Online Eng. 12 (3), 8-15 2016

Implementing and Deploying Magnetic Material Testing as an Online Laboratory
R Radhamani, D Kumar, K Achuthan, B Nair, S Diwakar
Intelligent Systems Technologies and Applications 2016, 925-934 2016

Implementing a web-based simulator with explicit neuron and synapse models to aid experimental neuroscience and theoretical biophysics education
A Sridharan, H Sasidharakurup, D Kumar, N Nizar, B Nair, K Achuthan, ...
Proceedings of the International Conference on Signal, Networks, Computing 2016

Assessing students and teachers experience on simulation and remote biotechnology virtual labs: A case study with a light microscopy experiment
S Diwakar, R Radhamani, H Sasidharakurup, D Kumar, N Nizar, ...
E-Learning, E-Education, and Online Training: Second International 2016

Role of Biotechnology simulation and remotely triggered virtual labs in complementing university education
R Radhamani, H Sasidharakurup, D Kumar, N Nizar, K Achuthan, B Nair, ...
2015 International Conference on Interactive Mobile Communication 2015

Mobile learning and biotechnology education via remote labs: Deployment-based study on real time shared resources
D Kumar, H Sasidharakurup, R Radhamani, N Nizar, K Achuthan, B Nair, ...
2015 International Conference on Interactive Mobile Communication 2015

Role of ICT-enabled virtual laboratories in biotechnology education: Case studies on blended and remote learning
S Diwakar, D Kumar, R Radhamani, N Nizar, B Nair, H Sasidharakurup, ...
2015 International Conference on Interactive Collaborative Learning (ICL 2015

Using Virtual Laboratories as Interactive Textbooks: Studies on Blended Learning in Biotechnology Classrooms.
H Sasidharakurup, R Radhamani, D Kumar, N Nizar, K Achuthan, ...
EAI Endorsed Trans. e Learn. 2 (6), e4 2015

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

Remote triggered photovoltaic solar cell lab: Effective implementation strategies for Virtual Labs
J Freeman, A Nagarajan, M Parangan, D Kumar, S Diwakar, K Achuthan
2012 IEEE International Conference on Technology Enhanced Education (ICTEE), 1-7 2012
Citations: 30

Implementing a Remote-Triggered Light Microscope: Enabling Lab Access via VALUE Virtual labs
D Kumar, H Singanamala, K Achuthan, S Srivastava, B Nair, S Diwakar
Proceedings of the 2014 International Conference on Interdisciplinary 2014
Citations: 24

Explicit interactions by users form a critical element in virtual labs aiding enhanced education--a case study from biotechnology virtual labs
R Radhamani, H Sasidharakurup, D Kumar, N Nizar, B Nair, K Achuthan, ...
2014 IEEE Sixth International Conference on Technology for Education, 110-115 2014
Citations: 15

Online bio-robotics labs: Open hardware models and architecture
D Kumar, K Achuthan, B Nair, S Diwakar
2016 International Conference on Robotics and Automation for Humanitarian 2016
Citations: 7