A Model of Biology Laboratory Enhancement Through Acquisition of Calculator-Based Laboratory Systems

要解决的问题：生物系已经实现了在五年内生物课程的学生入学人数增加了50%。 入学人数的增加已经扩展了学院为学生提供技术实践的能力。 购买基于计算器的实验室（CBL）系统将使我们能够为学生提供教育体验，通过使用廉价，耐用，现代化的设备来改善教学。 目标：提高学生监测，记录和分析生物数据的科学能力。 方法：每个CBL系统将允许一个平均28名学生的班级在每个站两名学生的小组中工作。 学生将在1）生态学，2）环境生物学和3）生理学方面进行大量的实践经验。 听众：1200名在沃邦西社区学院就读本科生物课程的学生。 在北方伊利诺斯州的社区学院，更多的学生参加了远程学习课程。 合作：项目年内无。 狐狸谷教育联盟，其中包括五个社区学院区后，第一个项目年。 对本科教育的影响的意义：该项目提供了动手实验室的经验，使用廉价的现代技术和设备，并将作为一个模型，通过远程学习网络在区域和国家扩大生物实验室教学。

Problem to be addressed: The Biology Department has realized a 50% increase in student enrollments in biology courses over a five-year period. Increased enrollments have stretched the college's ability to provide students with hands-on use of technology. The purchase of Calculator-Based Laboratory (CBL) Systems will enable us to offer educational experiences to students which improve instruction by using inexpensive, durable, modern equipment. Objectives: Improve the scientific competencies of students to monitor, record and analyze biological data. Methods: Each CBL System will allow an average class of 28 students to work in groups of two students per station. Students will perform a multitude of hands-on experiences in 1) Ecology, 2) Environmental Biology, and 3) Physiology. Audience: Twelve hundred students enrolled in undergraduate biology courses at Waubonsee Community College. Additional students enrolled in distance learning courses at community colleges in northern Illinois. Collaborations: None in project year. Fox Valley Education Alliance which includes five community college districts after the first project year. Significance of Impact on Undergraduate Education: The project offers hands-on laboratory experiences using inexpensive modern technology and equipment and would serve as a model to extend biology laboratory instruction via distance learning networks both regionally and nationally.