Enhancing Undergraduate Curriculum Reform with an Interdisciplinary Science Computer Laboratory

湖伊利学院正在建立一个跨学科的科学计算机实验室，以显着促进NSF资助的校园范围内的本科科学改革目前正在进行。 计算机实验室填补了一个严重的需要，提供未来的K - 12教师在一个小的文科学院与73%的女学生，有机会成为更多地从事基于问题的学习使用当前的技术。我们的计划是改变，在一个主要的方式，学前教师实验室的经验，纳入新的科学软件的模拟和建模能力。 这种修改在实验室设施有限的机构中至关重要。生物学、化学、物理科学、数学、环境管理、心理学和马研究课程的学生将通过更积极地参与科学过程，从18台计算机、软件和相关的“智能教室”设备中受益。 计算机设施将成为科学教师准备的重点。 将为该地区的大学预科学生和教师以及附近两年制学院的学生开发利用地理信息系统软件等新方案的讲习班。 这些实验室允许学生向当地环境组织的专业人员提供数据并与他们互动。 一个万维网网页将突出介绍一所小型文理学院使用跨学科计算机设施的情况。 教师通过在会议和研讨会上的演讲与同事分享他们的经验。

Lake Erie College is establishing an Interdisciplinary Science Computer Laboratory to significantly facilitate NSF-funded campus-wide undergraduate science reform currently underway. The computer laboratory fills a serious need to provide future K - 12 teachers at a small liberal arts college with 73% women students, the opportunity to become more engaged in problem-based learning using current technology. Our plan is to change, in a major way, pre-teacher laboratory experiences to incorporate the simulation and modeling ability of new science software. This modification is critical in an institution with limited laboratory facilities. Students in biology, chemistry, physical science, mathematics, environmental management, psychology, and equine studies courses will benefit from the 18 computers, software, and related "smart classroom" equipment by becoming more actively engaged in the scientific process. The computer facility is to be the focus for teacher preparation in science. Workshops utilizing new programs such as Geographic Information System software will be developed for pre-college students and teachers in the region as well as students at nearby two-year colleges. The laboratories allow students to provide data to and interact with professionals in local environmental organizations. A World Wide Web page will highlight the uses of interdisciplinary computer facilities by a small liberal arts college. Faculty are to share their experiences with colleagues through presentations at conferences and workshops.