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Biology Labs Online: A Success Story Lou Zweier & Michelle LaMar CSU Center for Distributed Learning Thursday, October 16th, 2003
Biology Labs Online: A Success Story
Lou Zweier & Michelle LaMarCSU Center for Distributed LearningThursday, October 16th, 2003
10/06/[email protected] | [email protected] | www.cdl.edu slide 1
Biology Labs Online
• 12 Interactive Biology Lab Simulations
10/06/[email protected] | [email protected] | www.cdl.edu slide 1
10/06/[email protected] | [email protected] | www.cdl.edu slide 1
EvolutionLab: Results for Beak Size
10/06/[email protected] | [email protected] | www.cdl.edu slide 1
EvolutionLab: Results for Population
10/06/[email protected] | [email protected] | www.cdl.edu slide 1
Development Motivations
• 10K biology majors in CSU• Teach use of scientific method• Limited lab time, cookbook labs
–Can run experiment many times –Can run experiments not
practical in wet lab (time, cost, ethics)
–Topics augment current wet labs• Encourage active learning methods
10/06/[email protected] | [email protected] | www.cdl.edu slide 1
10/06/[email protected] | [email protected] | www.cdl.edu slide 1
Important Attributes of BLOL
• Modular–Lessons not embedded in
simulations–Adaptable
• Scalable (disciplines, grade level)• Not easily reproducible• Encourages active learning• Based on real models and data
10/06/[email protected] | [email protected] | www.cdl.edu slide 1
Technology Overview
• Java Applets– JDK 1.02 to provide browser
compatibility–Server side “exporting” for
printing
10/06/[email protected] | [email protected] | www.cdl.edu slide 1
Development Process
• Faculty Focus group developed lab ideas
• Each lab had a small development team:–Faculty Content Expert –Designer–Programmer
• Formal Usability Testing (CUDA)
10/06/[email protected] | [email protected] | www.cdl.edu slide 1
Dissemination
• Free Beta test period• Benjamin Cummings markets and
distributes BLOL• Sold by online subscription
–entire series, themed sub-sets, individually
–Lab manual in bookstore• Priced for student bugets
(~$7/lab/yr)• Adopted by over 600 institutions
10/06/[email protected] | [email protected] | www.cdl.edu slide 1
Challenges and Roadblocks
• Working with Content Experts• Availability of models and data• Distributed Development Teams • Programming Staff• Brower Compatibility
10/06/[email protected] | [email protected] | www.cdl.edu slide 1
Try It Out!
Free Trials are available
www.biologylabsonline.comContacts:
Lou Zweier: [email protected] LaMar: [email protected]://www.cdl.edu
