A Prototype Computer Aided Laboratory System for STEM Learning

该项目将动手体验发现实验室练习与计算机辅助教学相结合，形成计算机辅助实验室教学(CALI)。该项目的目标是加强实验室学习和理解，同时显著减少时间、设备、人员配置和空间需求。正在开发一种通用的交互软件应用程序，该应用程序提出实验室问题，指导学生完成实验和物理设备的设置，监控实验工作，在实验室练习期间提供反馈，并评估学生的表现。根据迄今的经验，正在对现有的CALI原型实验进行修改，并正在开发两个新的实验。正在评估CALI系统的有效性，方法是让随机选择的试验组执行CALI实验，并将他们的短期和长期学习与使用类似设备执行常规实验室实验的对照组进行比较。另一家机构正在为其中一项实验复制这一评估程序。正在跟踪资源，以估计潜在的节省。CALI的细节和评价结果将通过会议介绍和在第二个机构对该系统进行测试来传播。

This project combines hands-on experiential discovery laboratory exercises with computer-aided instruction into computer aided laboratory instruction (CALI). The goal of the project is to enhance laboratory learning and understanding while significantly reducing the time, equipment, staffing and space requirements. A generalized, interactive software application is being developed which presents the laboratory problem, guides students through setup of the experiment and physical apparatus, monitors the experimental effort, provides feedback during the laboratory exercise, and evaluates student performance. An existing prototype CALI experiment is being modified, based on experience to date, and two new experiments are being developed. The efficacy of the CALI system is being evaluated by having randomly selected experimental groups perform the CALI experiments and comparing their short and long term learning with control groups performing conventional laboratory experiments with similar apparatus without the CALI interface. This evaluation procedure is being replicated at another institution for one of the experiments. Resources are being tracked to estimate potential savings. CALI details and the evaluation results will be disseminated by conference presentations and through testing of the system at the second institution.