A Model of Biology Laboratory Enhancement Through Acquisition of Calculator-Based Laboratory Systems

需要解决的问题：生物系在五年内实现了生物课程的学生入学人数增加了50%。入学人数的增加使得学院在为学生提供实际使用技术的能力上捉襟见肘。购买基于计算器的实验室（CBL）系统将使我们能够为学生提供教育经验，通过使用廉价，耐用，现代化的设备来改善教学。目的：提高学生监测、记录和分析生物数据的科学能力。方法：每个CBL系统将允许平均28名学生以每站2名学生为一组进行工作。学生将在1)生态学，2)环境生物学和3)生理学中进行大量的实践经验。1200名学生在沃邦西社区学院注册了本科生物学课程。更多的学生参加了伊利诺伊州北部社区大学的远程学习课程。合作：项目年度无。福克斯谷教育联盟，其中包括五个社区学院区在项目第一年之后。对本科教育影响的意义：该项目提供使用廉价现代技术和设备的动手实验经验，并将成为通过区域和国家远程学习网络扩展生物学实验室教学的典范。

Problem to be addressed: The Biology Department has realized a 50% increase in student enrollments in biology courses over a five-year period. Increased enrollments have stretched the college's ability to provide students with hands-on use of technology. The purchase of Calculator-Based Laboratory (CBL) Systems will enable us to offer educational experiences to students which improve instruction by using inexpensive, durable, modern equipment. Objectives: Improve the scientific competencies of students to monitor, record and analyze biological data. Methods: Each CBL System will allow an average class of 28 students to work in groups of two students per station. Students will perform a multitude of hands-on experiences in 1) Ecology, 2) Environmental Biology, and 3) Physiology. Audience: Twelve hundred students enrolled in undergraduate biology courses at Waubonsee Community College. Additional students enrolled in distance learning courses at community colleges in northern Illinois. Collaborations: None in project year. Fox Valley Education Alliance which includes five community college districts after the first project year. Significance of Impact on Undergraduate Education: The project offers hands-on laboratory experiences using inexpensive modern technology and equipment and would serve as a model to extend biology laboratory instruction via distance learning networks both regionally and nationally.