Implementing Investigative Laboratories: A Workshop for General Biology Coordinators

在研究性实验室模式中，学生设计自己的实验，而不是遵循实验室手册中的说明。这种形式被广泛推荐用于刺激科学思想的发展，但实施起来很困难。一个生物学本科生教师研讨会正在考虑克莱姆森大学用来解决其中许多问题的方法。形式包括学生对两个湿实验室实验的表演，使用名为FISHFARM的计算机模拟工作，以及广泛的师生咨询。湿法实验室实验是在录像带“方法模块”的帮助下进行的，这些模块展示了实验室技术的使用，并有相关的材料清单。FISHFARM模拟了商业水产养殖作业的生物学和经济学。学生们必须设计一系列连贯的实验，以确定一种新的鱼类杂交品种的经济最佳养殖条件。利润最大化和团队之间的竞争提高了学生的兴趣。参加研讨会的教职员工正在学习开发的技术，并开发一个网络，用于未来两年的后续行动。

In an investigative laboratory format, students design their own experiments rather than following directions in a laboratory manual. This format has been widely recommended for stimulating the development of scientific thought, but it is difficult to implement. A workshop of undergraduate faculty in biology is considering the approach used at Clemson for solving many of these problems. The format consists of student performance of two wetlab experiments, work with a computer simulation called FISHFARM, and extensive instructor-student consultation. The wetlab experiments are performed with the aid of videotape "methods modules" which show the use of laboratory techniques and have associated materials lists. FISHFARM simulates the biology and economics of a commercial aquaculture operation. The students must design a coherent series of experiments to determine the economically optimum culturing conditions for a new fish hybrid. The maximization of profit and competition between teams heightens student interest. The faculty participants in the workshop are learning the techniques developed as well as developing a network for follow-up over the next two years.