North American Network
of Science Labs On-line (NANSLO)
BC Innovation Goes International
Internet
NANSLO
Gina Bennett
Ron Evans
Paul Stacey
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This session is a case study of how BC based development
went international by being open.
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Online science – academic programs & course development
Challenges around teaching science online
Remote Web-based Science Lab – DEMO!
Creative Commons open licenses
International interest
Next Generation Learning Challenges
BC with WICHE and CCCS partners
Follow-on Phases, Expansion & the Vision
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In the beginning …
Space Science and Astronomy (SSA) Lab Science Courses
- Entirely Web-based
NIC’s SSA courses are taught from a remote community on
the BC Central Coast and reach students anywhere there is Internet access
The Labs are taught on-line using locally available materials and …
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Tatla Lake
On-line Observatory
TLOO
allows students to control
a research grade telescope
over the web.
Space Science is multi-disciplinary,
so how do we teach ALL sciences over the web? 4
Web-based Associate of Science
(WASc) Project
The WASc Project proposes to make all first and
Second year curriculum required for the
Associate of Science Degree
accessible over the Internet
- including the labs!
CC licensed by ImageEditor
We have completed or are just completing the
first and second semesters of Geology, Physics, Biology, and Chemistry.
The science theory can be delivered on-line with relative ease,
but the labs are more challenging.
Some labs can be delivered using a lab kit, but some can’t.
http://rwsl.nic.bc.ca/
How do we deliver the labs on-line?
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RWSL
The Remote Web-based Science Laboratory (RWSL):
• is a software and robotic interface students control over the
web
• interacts with and manipulates remote lab equipment
• collects authentic real-world scientific data in real time
This is the concept that the NANSLO project
will duplicate and further develop in Colorado
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RWSL Overview
Observation
Students
Observation
Physical
Manipulation
Manipulation
Internet
RWSL
Data
Communications
Physics
• Air Track
• Sound
• Spectrometer
• E/M Apparatus
Lab
Equipment
Biology
• Microscope
Data Acquisition
Chemistry
• Spectrometer
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Observation
Pan Tilt Zoom Camera
Inspection Camera
Video Streamer
Video Mixer
Video Archive
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Physical Manipulation
Robotic Arm
Linear Slides
Rotary Tables
Slide Loader
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Data Acquisition 1
Chemistry/Physics
Spectrometer – properties
of light such as intensity,
polarization, wavelength
LabVIEW Software
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Data Acquisition 2
Physics
E/M Apparatus – charge of an
electron relative to its mass
LabVIEW Software
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Communications
Observation
Students
Observation
Physical
Manipulation
Manipulation
Internet
RWSL
Lab
Equipment
Data
Communications
Data Acquisition
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Text Chat
Skype
Elluminate
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RWSL
NANSLO
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Challenges/Opportunities
• Labs online
• Remote control vs. Simulations or Lab Kits
• Mars Rover
• Remote surgery
• Faculty acceptance
• Support, buy-in, commitment to teach
• Articulation and transfer of credit
• Agreements
• Authentic science experience
• Shared Service
• RWSL hosted as a system wide shared service
• Cost sharing
• Scaleability
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Transfer credit agreements
“The Physics and Astronomy articulation
committee supports the North Island College
piloting a web-based physics course, including
remote controlled web-based labs for students
who are not able to attend scheduled labs. The
committee encourages receiving institutions to
give appropriate consideration to these students
for transfer credit.”
CC licensed by wynlok
The motion passed (with 2 abstentions and
nobody opposing).
Physics & Astronomy Articulation meeting, 2010
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Quality of online science curricula
• learning outcomes
• best practices
• Guidelines for Laboratory Courses within the BC
Transfer System
An interesting question, though…
CC licensed by Cristiano de Jesus
Quality for whom?
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Learner
Profession
Community
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Shared Service
• RWSL hosted as a system wide shared service
• Similar to other BCcampus shared services for
Moodle, Elluminate, Connect, D2L
• Cost sharing & shared infrastructure
• Scaleability
• Geographic independence: neither RWSL nor
students need to be at specific locations
• Participating institutions assume responsibility
for particular labs and serve these labs to the
entire province
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DEMO
What does the student see?
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http://nextgenlearning.org
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WAVE 1
• Open core courseware, blended learning,
deeper engagement, learning analytics
• Oct. 2010 RFP, April 2011 Award
• 600 applicants
• 50 finalists
• 29 grantees
• NANSLO – WICHE, CCCS, BCcampus
• NANSLO ~$750K grant
• 15 months April 2011 - July 2012
• follow on phase 2 grant fund of $5 million
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North American Network of Science Labs Online - NANSLO
British
Columbia
Wyoming
Montana
Colorado
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NANSLO
LOGIC
MODEL
part 1
- Describe initiative including funding
sources, grant and partners WICHE &
CCCS - Paul
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NANSLO
LOGIC
MODEL
part 2
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Q&A
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invite questions
benefits associated with working in the open and the
opportunities that result
discussion on pros and cons of remote web-based science
labs
expressions of interest in using the RWSL and/or helping
with articulation and teaching of science courses
hands-on opportunities for everyone to try RWSL are
available throughout workshop
NANSLO Phase 2
new video at http://rwsl.nic.bc.ca.
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