NANSLO: Putting Science Labs Online

NANSLO: Putting Science Labs OnlineModerator & Principal Investigator: Pat Shea, WICHE Co-PI: Paul Stacey, BCcampus (British Columbia)Co-PI: Rhonda Epper, Colorado Community College SystemNANSLO Project Coordinator: Catherine Weldon, WICHENANSLO Project Manager: Dan Branan, Colorado Community College System

Aug 30, 2012

You can always click the speaker icon to repeat the narration if you need to.1StudentsWhat is NANSLO? North American Network of Science Labs Online Funded by Next Generation Learning Challenge Grant 15 months (April 2011-June 2012) - $750,000 Replication and Scale Up 48 months (Jan 2013 Jan 2017) - $14,000,000 Part of larger project to bring more students into Allied Health fields.

NANSLO

Internet

StudentsLab-kitsRemote Web-based Science Labs

Biology, Chemistry, Physics CoursesOpen Educational Resources

OnlinePedagogyNorth American Network of Science Labs Online

NANSLO Mission StatementNANSLO provides a consortium approach to the development and deployment of high-quality, modular, openly licensed courseware integrating learner-centered and immersive web-based labs using software, video and robotics for the online delivery of science courses

The overall goal of the NANSLO project is to extend access to University-level science education for many previously underserved learner audiences. We aim to do this through the integration of first-semester core curriculum with innovative distance delivery technologies3History and Origin

Online Program Development Fund (OPDF) 2003-2011

Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Geologyhttp://rwsl.nic.bc.ca/

Remote Scientific Instrumentation

During the mid 1990s online learning became a hot topic. The idea of applying tel-control to the use of lab equipment remotely was part of new movement.*

The use of remote science instrumentation is not new in industrial research. NASA experiments via the Space Station, Mars Exploration Rover, and other space science applications have used remotely manipulated robotics for years.**

Just as online learning struggled against the perception that it was not real, the integration of science laboratory experiments into online learning mechanisms has generated concern from faculty.

* Lindsay, E.D., and M.C. Good. "Effects of Laboratory Access Modes Upon Learning Outcomes." IEEE Transactions on Education 48.4 (2005): 619-31. Print.** Doody, Dave. "Chapter 12. Typical Science Instruments." Redirect Basics of Space Flight Section II. Space Flight Projects. NASA. Web. 01 Sept. 2011. .

5Remote Scientific Instrumentation?

Remote Scientific Instrumentation?

2 meters

Or

2000 metersWhats the difference?

Remote Web-Based Science Lab (RWSL)How it works8LabEquipmentInternet(Students)RWSLObservationDataManipulationCommunicationsData AcquisitionVideo Observation

Physical Manipulation

9LabEquipmentRWSLObservationDataManipulationCommunicationsData AcquisitionVideo Observation

Physical Manipulation

MumbleLabView PluginInternet(Students)Remote Web-Based Science Lab (RWSL)How it works

Students install and configure the LabView Plugin and Mumble from: http://at.ccconline.org/rwsl/installguideHelp Desk agents will make contact with as many students as possible before the semester begins.The agents will assist in setting up the software.They will also help the student test Mumble by having a brief conversation with the student using the Mumble software.RWSLStudent Access

LabView Server CheckStep 4 of the installation process.What appears on the video panel depends on what equipment is connected to the LabView server.

Equipment controlpanelCamera Control panelVideo Panel

Student requests control by right-clickingOnly one student at a time can be in control of the interface, although up to 4 students can be viewing it.LabView Server Check

Student should check equipment function by clicking the button.This just shows that student can communicate with Server.LabView Server Check

Student should test camera controls.Click Picture-in-Picture if necessary and use pan/tilt/zoom buttons to control camera.LabView Server Check

MumbleWhen you connect to the NANSLO Denver server (per the instruction document), you see this screen

Your NameType here if you need to

MumbleThere are several Rooms available.Double-clicking on any room puts you into it.You can only talk with people in your room.

I am outside all the rooms (in the common area)

MumbleIf you click on a persons name and type a message to them, they will see it even if you are not in the same room.When testing, it doesnt matter what room you are in.

Now Im in Biology Lab Room 1

RWSL Lab ActivitiesThere is a 1-hour Lab Familiarization activity available for each subject area that allows students to connect to the lab and talk with the Lab Technicians over Mumble.Lab Activities are scheduled for Monday Saturday from 4:00 PM through Midnight in 2-hour blocks.Depending on the Lab Activity, there will be one, two or three Lab Rooms available during each 2-hour block.Each Lab Room (LabView Server) can accommodate up to 4 students.Students schedule time in the lab using the RWSL Lab Scheduler.

RWSL Lab Scheduler

Click Link to Scheduler is in course websites (Desire2Learn)

Students only see the activities available for their course.

They can click on any day that has a scheduled activity.

RWSL Lab Scheduler

Clicking on a day displays available seats for each block of time.

Clicking on Sign-up for Lab Room brings up a dialog:

Once they are signed up, they are committed

To alter their schedule, they must contact Lab Staff at: rwslsupport@ccconline.org

RWSL Lab SchedulerWhen their scheduled time arrives, they can access the Lab by opening the RWSL Lab Scheduler and clicking on the link that will appear there.

Links to Scheduled Activities Appear Here

What Students do When it is Lab TimeAt the beginning of their scheduled block of time:Connect to Mumble: This is a very important first step because it allows them to talk with the Lab Technicians, who will help them troubleshoot if they have problems.Open the RWSL Lab Scheduler and click on the link for their scheduled activity.Complete the lab following the procedure that they have previously read (right!).ONLY If Mumble is non-functional for some reason, students can call the Lab Techs at 720-858-2877

RWSL Interface

Heres whats in the Lab Room

Here is what the student sees:Equipment controlpanelCamera Control panel

NANSLO: Putting Science Labs OnlineModerator & Principal Investigator: Pat Shea, WICHE Co-PI: Paul Stacey, BCcampus (British Columbia)Co-PI: Rhonda Epper, Colorado Community College SystemNANSLO Project Coordinator: Catherine Weldon, WICHENANSLO Project Manager: Dan Branan, Colorado Community College System

Aug 30, 2012

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