Development of Collaborative, Computer-Networked Laboratories in General Chemistry

该项目为学生提供了在实验室的科学过程和解决真实的生活问题的技能的准确经验。 该项目扩展了一个为期三年的试点项目，该项目使用基于计算机的协作学习来实现上述目标。 学生小组探索相同的一般问题，但每组使用不同的试剂。 一个网络化的计算机系统（CoLABnet）被用来收集，池，并总结了大量的定性类数据。 汇总数据允许学生检查更多的参数，比单个数据更准确。 通过向学生展示同一现象的多个实例来促进趋势的发现。 小组使用商业绘图软件，并在实验后讨论中交流他们的发现。 试点项目的初步数据表明，新方法改善了学生的学习和反应。 该项目评估对学生学习的影响，评估和优化软件的设计和实施，围绕商业数据库程序开发新软件，并开发和实施TA的培训和支持系统。 作为助教培训过程的一部分，使用了新开发的与协作学习课堂相关的教学技术的录像带。

This project provides students with accurate experience in the laboratory of the scientific process and skills for solving real life problems. The project extends a three year pilot project that uses collaborative computer based learning to meet the above goals. Student groups explore the same general problem, but each group uses different reagents. A networked computer system (CoLABnet) is used to collect, pool, and summarize the largely qualitative class data. The pooled data allow the students to examine more parameters with better accuracy than would individual data. The discovery of trends is facilitated by presenting students with multiple instances of the same phenomenon. Groups use commercial graphing software and communicate their findings during a post-lab discussion. Preliminary data from the pilot project indicate that student learning and responses are improved by the new methods. The project evaluates the impact on student learning, evaluates and optimizes the design and implementation of software, develops new software around a commercial database program, and develops and implements a training and support system for TA's. As part of the TA training process, newly developed videotapes dealing with instructional techniques relevant to the collaborative learning classroom are used.