North American Network
of Science Labs On-line (NANSLO)
Internet
NANSLO
Paul Stacey, Pat Shea, Rhonda Epper
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In the beginning – a BC perspective …
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? 3
Online Program Development
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$9 million (2003-2010)
144 grants awarded (2003-2010)
100% participation across the post-secondary system
83% partnerships - mostly inter-institutional but also with
K-12, health authorities, not-for-profits, professional
associations, e-learning companies, First Nations,
foundations, amongst others.
• 47 credentials developed in whole or part via OPDF
• 355 courses, 12 workshops, 19 web sites/tools and 396
course components (learning objects, labs, textbooks,
manuals, videos) developed across almost all academic
fields of study
• 100% licensed all licensed as Open Educational Resources
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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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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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http://nextgenlearning.org
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North American Network of Science Labs Online - NANSLO
British
Columbia
Colorado
Montana
Wyoming
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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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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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Challenges/Opportunities
• Labs online
• Remote control vs. Simulations or Lab Kits
• Underwater submarine, Mars Rover, Remote surgery
• Technical
• Latency, bandwidth, need for development & production
environments
• Faculty
• Support, buy-in, hands-on opps, commitment to teach
• Articulation and transfer of credit
• Agreements
• Authentic science experience
• Shared Service
• RWSL hosted as a system wide shared service
• Cost sharing – infrastructure & technincal support/operation
• Scaleability & network expansion
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