Improving Undergraduate Biology Laboratory Experiences by Using a Computer Laboratory

该项目更新和改进了学院生物教学实验室的课程和仪器。五年前，为实现这一目标，启动了一个分三个阶段的计划。第一阶段提供了生物领域的高速网络。第二阶段开发了教师资源，并提供了一个试验性实验室来测试该项目的可行性。第3阶段为50%的教学实验室提供每两名学生至少一台工作站。生物系已经成功地实施了第一阶段和第二阶段。这个项目为第三阶段提供了资源。这个项目获得的硬件和软件使学生能够参与动手实验，减少设备设置的时间，更有效地分析数据，结对合作，并使用现代三维解剖软件来扩展他们的人体解剖知识。该项目开发了一个两用的计算机干/湿实验室，其计算机工作站通过高速以太网联网。所有工作站都使用Timbuktu产品，它允许每个工作站观察教师的工作站或其他学生的工作站；所有AV工作站共享一个通用的音频/视频馈送，允许将图像(显微镜、VHS磁带机)广播到每个工作站；并且工作站有一个基座式的计算机支架，可以将计算机实验室用作湿实验室或干实验室。

This project updates and improves the curriculum and instrumentation in the biology teaching labs at the college. Five years ago, a three-phase plan was initiated to accomplish this goal. Phase 1 provided a high-speed network in biology. Phase 2 developed faculty resources and provided a pilot lab for testing the feasibility of this project. Phase 3 provides 50% of the teaching labs with a minimum of one workstation per two students. The Biology Department has been successfully implementing Phases 1 and 2. This project provides resources for Phase 3. The hardware and software obtained by this project enable students to engage in hands-on experiments, reduce the amount of time spent on equipment setup, analyze data more effectively, work collaboratively in pairs, and use modern three- dimensional anatomical software to extend their knowledge of human anatomy. This project enables development a dual-purpose computer dry lab/wet lab with computer workstations that are networked by high-speed Ethernet. All workstations use a product, Timbuktu, that allows each workstation to observe the instructor's workstation or other student's workstations; all AV workstations share a common audio/visual feed allowing images (microscope, VHS tape deck) to be broadcast to each workstation; and workstations have a pedestal-based computer stand that allows the computer lab to be used either as a wet or dry lab.