Investigative Process & Technology in Introductory Physiology

一个计算机化的生理学实验室正在支持调查，探究式学习，在一个必需的，走廊级的介绍核心生物学课程，动物和植物的生理动力学（PDAP）。 本课程使学生了解具有相似适应功能的不同动物和植物生理系统如何在细胞水平上具有形式和功能的统一。 它改编自哈维穆德学院开发的现有实验室课程。 信号转导被用作统一植物和动物生理学的范例。 该实验室是在一个为期三年的经验序列中的第一个，以培养学生的科学过程技能，为顶点高级研究论文做准备，并向学生介绍重要的数据采集和通信技术。 在最初的六周里，学生们使用Biopac和Qubit系统进行一系列技术复杂度不断提高的动物和植物实验室练习。 在每周一次的复习课中，学生们学习使用基于网络的课程管理软件进行同行评议，并为研究项目提出建议。 然后，两个学生小组进行自己设计的实验研究，每周通过“电子实验室笔记本”向教授和同行评审小组报告。在最后的两周里，学生们参加一个“小型研讨会”。“在专业顾问的帮助下，正在对学生的预期学习成果进行纵向评估。 正在通过专业会议上的演讲、教学期刊上的文章和课程网站传播成果和课程材料。 预计学生将获得设计和解释生理学研究的能力，他们将发展对动物和植物系统之间的相似性的欣赏，并且该计划将增加学生对生理学的参与。 更广泛的影响：该补助金为多样化的K-12人口提供服务，并通过为培训技术教师或聘请生物学专业作为K-12项目导师的外展项目提供设备来加强教师准备。

A computerized physiology laboratory is supporting investigative, inquiry-based learning in a required, sophomore-level introductory core biology course, Physiological Dynamics in Animals and Plants (PDAP). The course provides students with an understanding of how divergent animal and plant physiological systems with similar adaptive functions possess a unity of form and function at the cellular level. It is adapted from an existing lab course that was developed at Harvey Mudd College. Signal transduction is used as a paradigm to unify plant and animal physiology. The laboratory is the first in a three-year sequence of experiences to develop students' scientific process skills in preparation for a capstone senior research thesis and introduces students to important data acquisition and communication technologies. For the first six weeks, students employ Biopac and Qubit systems in a series of animal and plant laboratory exercises of increasing technical sophistication. In a weekly recitation session, students learn to use web-based course management software for peer review and develop proposals for a research project. Two-student teams then carry out experimental investigations of their own design, reporting weekly to professors and peer review teams through an "electronic lab notebook. " In the final two weeks students participate in a "mini-symposia." Expected student learning outcomes are being assessed longitudinally with the help of a professional consultant. Results and course materials are being disseminated through presentations at professional meetings, articles in pedagogical journals, and through the course web site. It is expected that students will acquire the ability to design and interpret physiological studies, that they will develop an appreciation for parallels between animal and plant systems, and that the program will increase student participation in physiology. Broader impacts: The grant is serving a diverse K-12 population and enhance teacher preparation by providing equipment to outreach programs that train teachers in technology or employ biology majors as mentors in K-12 programs.