Improvement of a Vertebrate Physiology Course Using Computer-Based Data Acquisition, Student Independent Investigation, and CD-ROM Animation

本计画的目标是重新设计生物学专业的脊椎动物生理学本科课程的实验室部分，以：1）激发学生的批判性思考和解决问题的能力，2）帮助学生提高他们对生理过程的概念性理解，3）关注生理学细胞层面的理解，4）为学生提供实验、数据收集和分析的机会。目前所教授的课程在实验室方法方面是传统的，即“罐头”实验室进行，很少使用新技术。这些实验室可能会更具挑战性和刺激性，如果学生：1）进行较少的此类实验，并设计自己的调查，2）有可用的物理仪设备与计算机接口，以收集和分析数据，3）有机会获得动画。生理过程的交互式多媒体渲染。目前，现有的物理仪设备与计算机不兼容，一个实验室只有两台计算机，供16名学生使用，只有一份A. D. A.M.交互式软件可供演示。该项目的目标是：1）使用Intellitool设备引入基于计算机的实验室，2）开发和扩展学生实验室，使其成为学生设计的研究，需要2-3周的学生研究，涉及心血管、呼吸和肌肉生理学领域，3）将动画、交互式、可视化、CD-ROM软件纳入传统实验室并“分层”。要求提供资金用于购买物理记录仪设备、A. D. A.M.交互式软件、六台计算机和两台打印机。预计重新设计的脊椎动物生理学课程将促进求知欲，加深对生理过程的理解，并鼓励年轻妇女在科学研究中充满信心地应用技术。

The goal of this project is to redesign the laboratory component of the undergraduate Vertebrate Physiology course, for Biology majors, in order to: I ) stimulate student critical thinking and problem solving, 2) help students improve their conceptual understanding of physiological processes, 3) focus understanding at the cellular level of physiology, and 4~ provide opportunities for student experimentation, data collection and analysis. The course as it is presently taught is traditional in terms of its laboratory approach in that "canned" laboratories are conducted and little new technology is used. These laboratories could be far more challenging and stimulating if students: I) conducted fewer such experiments and designed their own investigations, 2) had available physiograph equipment interfaced with computers to collect and analyze data, and 3) had access to animated. interactive, multimedia renderings of physiological processes. At present, the existing phisiograph equipment is computer incompatible only two computers are available for a laboratory o~ 16 students, and only a single copy of A.D.A.M. interactive software is available for demonstration. The objectives of this project are to: 1) introduce computer-based labs using Intellitool equipment, 2) develop and extend student labs into student- designed investigations which require 2-3 ~ weeks of student research in the areas of cardiovascular, respiratory and muscle physiology, and 3) incorporate and "layer" animated, interactive, visual, CD-ROM software into traditional labs. Funding is requested for the purchase of, physiograph equipment, A.D.A.M. interactive software, six computers and two printers. It is expected that the redesigned Vertebrate Physiology course will promote intellectual curiosity, deepen understanding of physiological processes, and encourage young women to apply technology with confidence in the study of science.