From Descriptive to Adaptive Understanding: Using Interactive Computer Simulation in Quantitative Biology and Statistics Labs

这个项目提高了定量生物学实验室练习的有效性，使本科生能够培养基本的分析技能和对动态统计和生物学原理的适应性理解。前提是，教授定量生物学适应性知识的必要实验室仪器是运行响应蒙特卡罗模拟的高速计算机，该模拟是为练习目标量身定制的。这个项目的不同之处在于，它提供了一套专注的、吸引人的实验室练习，这些练习基于现实的计算机模拟，以惊人的速度运行，并设置在一个有趣的学习环境中。其目的不是推动，而是吸引学生学习统计学和定量生物学中重要原理的适应性工作知识。大多数模拟是对生物学随机过程的蒙特卡罗模拟。学生需要执行和解释适当的假设检验，并（在服务器上）在数字投资组合中描述模拟模型的行为，并附有表格和图表。适当的软件可以从外部获得（如果有的话）或由PI开发。仪器包括基于新型PowerPC处理器家族的计算机：20台联网的学生工作站，3台专用于四个pi的课件开发站，1台文件/打印服务器，1台打印机和1台扫描仪，以及提供必要功能和维护网络所需的软件。SWT的水生生物项目是该项目的重点，目标课程包括两门生态学课程（所有生物和水生专业必修课程），水生生物学，生物计量学（所有水生专业必修课程），以及数学系的一门实用统计学课程。

This project improves the effectiveness of laboratory exercises in quantitative biology so that undergraduates can develop essential analytical skills and an adaptive understanding of dynamic statistical and biological principles. The premise is that the requisite laboratory instrumentation for teaching adaptive knowledge of quantitative biology is high-speed computers running responsive Monte Carlo simulations tailored to exercise objectives. The differecne with this project is that it provides a set of focused and appealing lab exercises based on realistic computer simulations running at spectacular speeds and set in a playful learning environment. The intent is not to push, but rather to lure, students toward an adaptive working knowledge of important principles in statistics and quantitative biology. Most of the simulations are Monte Carlo simulations of random processes in biology. Students are required to execute and interpret appropriate hypothesis tests and to file reports (on the server) describing the behavior of the simulated models in a digital portfolio complete with tables and charts. Appropriate software can be acquired externally (when available) or developed by the PI. The instrumentation includes computers based on the new PowerPC processor family: 20 networked student workstations on carts, 3 courseware development stations dedicated to the foup PIs, 1 file/print server, 1 printer and 1 scanner, and software required to provide the necessary functionality and maintain the network. SWT's Aquatic Biology program is the focus of the project, and the targeted courses include two ecology courses (either required for all Biology and Aquatic majors), Aquatic Biology, Biometry (all required for Aquatic majors), and a practical statistics course in the Math Department.