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:
[email protected]
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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