Employees and Location
Personnel:
Cheryl Burrell, Ph.D., SSL Coordinator
Tatjana Jovanovic Grove, M.Sc., SSL Instructor
Silvia Gutierrez, Ph.D., SSL instructor
Robin Thomas, B.Sc., SSL instructor
Danilo Boada, Ph.D., SSL instructor
Melissa Nielsen, A.A.S., SSL Lab Technician
Location:
OGC 2539, Main Campus
Forsyth Technical Community College
Welcome to the Science Skills Lab!
Please follow the link for the introductory video:
http://tinyurl.com/SSL-Introduction
*hours of operation are changed since the video was made. These are the current ones:
SSL hours of operation:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday:
9 am – 8 pm
Saturday (use back entrance only):
9 am – 4 pm
What’s the difference between the SSL andTraditional Labs?
Traditional Labs: SSL:
Flexibility: Labs have to be done at a set
time each week.
Students can schedule labs at various times during the week
depending on their availability.
Lab Material: Copyrighted materials from
established publishers –
costly.
Depending on the course, open source labs – lower cost to
students
Uniqueness: Implemented in most
institutions
First facility of its kind to offer flexible labs over various
disciplines. In addition, students are developing soft skills
such are accountability and familiarity with a proper and
independent lab equipment use, both valuable for workforce.
Learning is made easier and more accessible to students while at the same time keeping them at a high standard of academic performance.
Who do we cater to?
A wide cross-section of students, for instance:
Working students
Displaced workers
Stay at home parents
Early College students
Different Learning Styles and Pace
Self Motivated Students
Before beginning the assignment
Did you sign in the TutorTrac?
This must be done as soon as you arrive to get credit for your time in lab.
Sign out when you leave or you will be signed out automatically and get credit for only 1 hour!
Please follow the link for the scheduling video: http://tinyurl.com/SSL-TutorTracSchedule
Username & Password is the
same as your Techlink
account!!
Before Lab: Scheduling Lab Appointments using Tutor Trac
Select the dates you are interested in and click on the
search button.
Use same username as other accounts
Easy scheduling: course info & availability
Reminder via e-mail
During Lab: Tutor Trac Sign in
Easy kiosk login: ensures credit
REQUIRED 2 steps!
Pick lab section and activity (all lab activities preloaded, please scroll down to find the current one!)
Make sure to click SUBMIT before you go to the bench, otherwise it will expire and your presence will not be recorded!!!
Sign out requires that you only enter your information (1 step), it will have your name and “Thank you for the visit”
Room 2531 hosts Anatomy and Physiology open labs for all A&P students, BIO 168 and BIO 169 labs.
Room 2539 hosts BIO 111, BIO 112, CHM 131A, and CHM 132 labs.
Courses facilitated in the SSL to date
Do you have a proper attire?
Please follow the link for the video regarding rules in the lab: http://tinyurl.com/SSL-Rules-Guidelines
Before beginning the assignment
Before Attending the Lab
Go over lab and corresponding Course materials on Blackboard
Class/Lecture materials
Written materials
Worked Examples
Mini-lecture videos
Animations
Laboratory materials
Laboratory documents print, read and bring to lab
Videos and animations to demonstrate the use of equipment or specific techniques
Pre-lab quiz, if applicable
During the Lab
The Lab Space is organized to promote independent work (self sufficiency & developing soft skills).
Students may finish labs during one or multiple appointments
Example of arrangement of equipment on a typical lab desk (BTC181-900)
All materials needed for labs are provided at your lab bench.
Ask instructor for materials that need to be kept cold / frozen, or if you cannot locate the item you need.
The Lab Equipment Manual helps students to identify and locate the equipment needed for each lab:
These are the binders you can find on the bench.
The original pdf document containing the same information is uploaded on your BlackBoard page, please take time to get familiar with the equipment.
Even though students are encouraged to be independent, they receive guidance from instructors
Try to work things our yourself but don’t be afraid to get help!
There will always be an instructor in the SSL to help and guide you.
Before you leave:
Please follow the link for the video regarding lab supplies: http://tinyurl.com/SSL-LabSuppliesSolutions
Golden rule is your best guidance: leave the lab space you have used the way you want it to welcome you!
The lab documents are graded complete or incomplete before the student leaves:
Complete
A complete means the student has answered all questions associated with the lab experiment. Student’s lab will be stamped as complete and checked off on roster.
Incomplete
The student is given the opportunity to correct any errors or to finish the assignment. Students can come later to finish lab and get checked off. It is a student’s responsibility to get paperwork initialed and dated, and that lab assignment number is recorded in roster book.
When you complete the assignment:
Study and complete all assignments
Go over assigned videos, reading materials.
Study labs to make sure everything makes sense
Study labs and all associated content before each test
If applicable, be current on your Blogs, Study cases, Homework, and Lab reports
Tests:
Some tests may be taken at home (typically lecture tests alternate between being taken at home and testing center)
At home tests can also be taken on campus
Some tests must be taken on campus (proctored lecture tests, all lab tests)
Consult your syllabus: proper time management is the key for success in any hybrid course!
Please follow the link for the video regarding your success in the SSL: http://tinyurl.com/SSL-TipsForSuccess
After lab and at home:
Asking questions
During lab the on duty instructor is your best resource
Questions regarding content and grades should be directed to your course instructor
Instructors of record for each course will be in the SSL certain times of the week
E-mail your instructor of record
Most questions can be addressed through e-mail
Formal meetings can be arranged when needed
Saturdays:
Attending SSL on the weekends:
The building is locked except for the lab entrance door as labeled on the photo (on the catwalk next to the stairway).
It is recommended to park in labeled area during weekend for the safety reasons (this parking space can be easily seen from the lab).
Attendance
Students who miss 2 labs may be automatically dropped from the course
Students who don’t complete entry assignment will be dropped
Communicate with your instructor if you have any issues so we can work with you
To wrap up:
Complete assignments on time: know your due dates for course assignments
Get your labs checked off: this may count towards your final grade
Be safe and courteous, step outside to eat or take a phone call
Wear proper lab attire: lab coat, goggles, closed to shoes, no eating and drinking in the lab
Clean up after yourself
Read the SSL information and guidelines document for additional information
Orientation check list
Read the SSL guidelines and lab safety documents
Complete the BlackBoard entry assignment before you begin your lab assignment
Sign all orientation documents
Thank you for choosing our lab for your academic endeavors, we are looking forward working with you toward achieving your goals!
Science Skills Lab staff