The Evolution of
Distance Science Lab Options
and Current Practices
Peter Jeschofnig, Ph.D.
Colorado Mountain College
April 2007
CMC - Glenwood Springs
Colorado Community Colleges Online
CCCOnline’s History


Began in the mid-1990s
Consortium of 13 Colorado Community Colleges
and 2 Universities

Growth initially ~30% annually

5,000+ students/semester

5 semester terms/year

300+ courses
CCCOnline’s Science Courses
Introductory Science = ~ 22%
of Total Enrollments
SCIENCE = 18 courses - HEALTH SCIENCE = 4 courses

Began with hybrid and simulations

Almost all courses now use AHS kits for lab

First lab kit used = micro-scale Chemistry in 2000

Now also use Biology, Physics, Microbiology. Geology, A&P

Per Academic Dean: CCC-Online’s Commitment to providing
excellent and accredited hands-on lab experiences greatly
contributed to growth of its science courses and programs
Purpose of Science Labs?
 Why
do we teach laboratory
experimentation in science
classes?
 What
are students supposed to
learn in the laboratory?
 How
can these objectives be met at
a distance?
Learning Objectives for Undergraduate
Teaching Laboratories
per Rice University Laboratory Coordinators for Natural Sciences and Engineering



Learn to observe, measure, record, convert, and analyze data
Learn lab safety, recognize potential hazards, and act appropriately



Acquire Basic Laboratory Skills
Acquire Communication and Recording Skills
Learn to keep timely, comprehensive lab notes for work replication
Improve effective writing, research, and presentation skills



Gain Maturity and Responsibility
Learn advanced preparation and organization skills
Work independently and learn the value of mistakes
Laboratory Objectives … cont.





Understand the Context of Science
Recognize the relevance of data gathering and measurement
Learn and appreciate the processes of the scientific method
Relate lab results and experiences to the real world
Appreciate the major consequences of minor oversights




Integrate Knowledge/Experience
Appreciate and apply critical thinking skills in other work
Apply math, science, and logical processes to other work
Recognize when conclusions do and do not make sense
Science Labs Consensus
Science Educators universally agree that…
 Laboratory
Experimentation MUST
Be Part of All Science Classes
 Labs
Have Been the Weak Link of
Distance Learning Science Classes
Quotes of Interest ….
“During the next decade, the United States demand
for scientists and engineers is expected to increase at
more than double the rate for all other occupations.”
Michigan Dept. of Education
"Learning science is something that students do, not
something that is done to them. In learning science
students describe objects and events, ask questions,
acquire knowledge, construct explanations of natural
phenomena, test those explanations in many different
ways, and communicate their ideas to others"
National Science Education Standards, NRC 1996, 20).
Philosophical Differences

Simulations vs. Hands-On Labs Kits
i.e. Seeing vs. Doing

College Level vs. Basic Concepts
i.e. Kitchen Chemistry
String and Sticky Tape
Distance Lab Options





Hybrid - Campus-based labs
Simulations – Virtual Labs
Remote-Access Labs
Kitchen Labs
Lab Kits
 Instructor
Assembled
 Student Assembled
 Commercially Assembled
Evaluation of Hybrid Labs:
Pro: Provide Traditional on-campus labs

Once-a-month all-day lab sessions at local college
or H.S.

Several-day long lab workshops

Combination: Online and On-campus
Con: Defeat the Purpose of Distance Learning
Mind-numbing long sessions for students
 Loss of distance enrollment for Institution

Students Like Simulations
Because they are:
 Easy
 Similar
 Low
to computer games
cost
But do they learn from them?
Textbook CD-ROMs

Houghton Mifflin (Ebbing)
Model Science Software

http://modelscience.com/
Virtual ChemLab - BYU
Remote Controlled Lab:
Diffraction of electrons
Aviation Simulator Analogy 1
Caveat !



Increasing numbers of 4-year colleges and
universities (incl. California) are refusing to
accept transfer credits for simulation-based
labs
University of Colorado – School of
Engineering is the latest college refusing to
accept simulation-based lab credits
Believe students with no hands-on labs
experiences are unsafe, and don’t know
what they are doing.
No Test Tubes? Debate on Virtual
Science Classes
Quotes from the NY Times October 2006 article by Sam Dillon:


Members of the College Board insist that college-level
laboratory science courses not be labeled ‘A.P.’ without a
physical lab
Dr. Fleck, provost at Hampden-Sydney College, Virginia, said
students worldwide found the virtual dissection useful. But
he called it “markedly inferior” to performing a real
dissection. He said
“You don’t get the look and the feel and the smell,”
Summing Up: Simulations


PROS: relatively cheap, readily available, fulfill
some lab objectives, will probably get better &
more challenging; useful as part of lab program
CONS: Passive, don’t meet as many lab
objectives as kits; tactile experience missing;
feel of “doing science” is missing; may not be
adequate for “majors” level course; potential
problems for transfer students
Kitchen Chemistry Labs
Pro:



Provide genuine hands on science activities
Relate science to the student’s real world
Cheap - assumably
Con:




Limit sophistication of lab experience
Students don’t respect it as serious science
Require extra time for acquiring supplies and
constructing equipment
Lab quality varies from very creative to
inadequate
Exceptional Kitchen Chemistry Courses


Elmhurst College
UC Denver and Univ. of N.Carolina - FIPSE Grant:
“Anytime Anywhere Chemistry Experience”
Anytime Anywhere
Chemistry Experience
Instructor/Student Assembled Kits
Usually consists of instructor checking out glassware
and equipment and students procuring supplies,
then returning equipment at the end of the semester
Pro:


Cheap - Assumably
Student get a hands-on, wet-lab experience
Con:



Student complaints about finding materials
Instructor relegated to “stock boy” chores
Disputes over inevitably lost/broken equipment
History of Commercial Lab Kits
Began in the early 1970’s with the Open University in the UK

Initially assembled and checked out to students
a very large trunk-sized science kit.

The initial cost was over a million pounds for
(~$2 million) for 8000 students or ~$250/student
plus warehousing, replacement parts, etc

Open U subsequently developed a smaller kit
that students purchase and is non-returnable
Commercial Kit History …
continued
1980’s Monash University, Australia
Physics kit checked out to students
 Video instructions
 Students enrolled from as far away as
Singapore
 Kits returned as much as 6 months late
 Success - High retention rate
 Eventually moved to selling students nonreturnable kits.

At Home Science Kit Development

1993 Leadville Colorado

First kit = chemistry for a one-semester
Intro to Chemistry course at CMC

Based on small-scale / micro-scale and
green chemistry techniques
About Micro-Scale Techniques


Micro-scale refers to the process of conducting traditional science
experiments on a much smaller and safer scale.
First introduced in late 50’s by chemistry professor
Dr. Hubert Alyea (1903-1996) at Princeton University.

Today used on campus labs around the world

Primary objectives

To greatly reduce safety risk of experimentation and

To reduce environmental and chemical disposal problems

While still engaging students in traditional science
experimentation and fostering inquiry-based problem solving
abilities.
Small-scale Science Equipment
Centrifuge Tubes - 24-Well and 96-Well Plates - Thin Stem Pipet
How Chemicals are Packaged
Single-use wet chemicals:
Packaged in thin-stem micro-pipets which deliver
consistent sized drops for experimentation.
Multi-use wet chemicals:
Packaged in ¼, ½ and 1 ounce dropper bottles.
Dry chemicals:
Packaged in micro vials and mini zip-lock baggies.
ChemKits
Lab Kit Issues

How safe are at-home lab experiments?

What are legal issues for conducting
labs in an unsupervised environment?

Are important experiments eliminated
because of safety or cost?

Compliance with proper waste
disposal?
Home Labs: Solutions

Home science kits designed with
safety and safety-education in mind

Liability waivers & safety contracts

Kits designed and produced by
professionals

Ample insurance and legal backing

14 year 100% safety record
Summing Up: AHS Lab Kits

Equivalent experience to campus labs

Meet ALL lab objectives

Offer tactile experiences

Give the “feel” of doing science

No transfer problems

Easy transition to upper-level on-campus
lab setting

High level of student satisfaction and
learning
Advantages of hands-on Labs
National Science Teachers’ Association:
The inquisitive spirit of science is assimilated by
students who participate in meaningful laboratory
activities.
The laboratory is a vital environment in which
science is experienced. …
Laboratory experience is so integral to the nature of
science that it must be included in every science
program for every student.
http://www.nsta.org/positionstatement&psid=16 ,
NSTA Teacher Resources, retrieved 1/1/07
Assessment Comparison
On-Campus Labs
vs.
At Home Science Lab Kits
- from “We Teach, but are They Learning:….” Sloan-C Conference November 2006
Assessment Comparison
On-campus vs. “Home Labs”
Objective of this Study
To quantitatively assess and compare the
performance of my chemistry students
In a face-to-face (F2F) chemistry course
with an on-campus laboratory
and
In an online chemistry (DL) course
with a home-based laboratory kit
- from “We Teach, but are They Learning:….” Sloan-C 11/06
Assessment Comparison
On-campus vs. “Home Labs”
Process of Assessing Outcomes
Administer and Compare Results for
Campus-Based CHE-111 Students and
Online CHE-111 Students:
1.
American Chemical Society Standardized Exam
Pre-test at the beginning of the semester
and Post-test at the end of the course
2.
Traditional homework, quiz, and exam grades
3.
Laboratory reports graded via a specific rubric
- from “We Teach, but are They Learning:….” Sloan-C 11/06
Final Exam vs ACS Exam
Final Exam vs ACS Exam
Final Exam Score
120
100
80
Series1
60
Linear (Series1)
40
y = 0.5233x + 49.372
R2 = 0.3756
20
0
0
20
40
60
ACS Score
80
100
CHE 111– ACS Exam Results
Exam Scores
ACS Score Comparison
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Raw Score
%
DL-PreTest
F2F-PreTest
DL-Post- F2F-PostTest
Test
ACS
National
DL Final
Exam
F2F-Final
Exa,
Assessment Comparison
On-campus vs. “Home Labs”
Summary of Findings




DL and F2F exam scores were basically equivalent
DL, F2F, and national ACS exam scores were basically
equivalent
DL lab grades averaged 5% and course grades 1% higher
than F2F
Institution exams were as effective as ACS exams for
assessment
- from “We Teach, but are They Learning:….” Sloan-C 11/06
Assessment Comparison
On-campus vs. “Home Labs”
Conclusions:
“Student learning in DL science courses with
home based lab kits is at least equivalent to
and usually a little better than in face-to-face
courses with a campus based lab.”
“Valid assessment can be achieved via
institution exams.”
- from “We Teach, but are They Learning:….” Sloan-C 11/06
Effectiveness of a Web-Based
Laboratory Course in Biology
Jennifer Herzog, Herkimer County
Community College, N.Y
Retention
Rate
Median Lab
Grade Avg
Class % Scoring B
or Better
Avg
On
89.4
Campus
C
75.8 75.8
43
Online
A
82.5 87.5
62
64.4
Lab Kits: Student Satisfaction Survey
Feb 2007 Marge Vorndam, CCCO
CCCOnline Science/Health Science Courses
 124
surveys returned from current users
 29%
 19%
had also previously used lab kits
had on-campus lab and home lab kit
experience
Student Survey Preference
What were the most POSITIVE aspects of using a home lab kit?






Convenience
Flexibility
Challenge / self-learning
Hands-on Lab in a DE course
Similar to on-campus lab
Fun
Student Survey Preference
What were the most POSITIVE aspects of using a home lab kit?


Easy to use, good instructions
Could share the lab experience
with others

Kit is self-contained

Re-enforces textbook reading

Sense of Accomplishment

No pressure
Student Survey Preference
What were the most NEGATIVE aspects of using a home lab kit?





Expense
Lack of immediate instructor
feedback
Lack of immediate peer
communication
Confusion over instructions or
outcomes
Requires more time than expected
for lab and reports
Student Survey Preference
If you have taken courses with labs that were offered
on campus and with a home lab kit,
which would you prefer:
home lab or on-campus lab?
59%
Home Lab
9%
Either
23%
Campus
Peter Jeschofnig
pjeschofnig@coloradomtn.edu
Margaret E. Vorndam
cccbiology@ghvalley.net
Colorado Community Colleges Online
http://www.ccconline.org
At Home Science
http://www.athomescience.com
The Role of Home Lab Kits in
Online College Science Courses
Presented at the ITC e-Learning
Conference in Albuquerque, NM
02/18/07
by
Professor Margaret E. Vorndam,
M.S., CCC-OnLine
Student Survey Comments
I have definitely gained more practical
knowledge from the at-home lab kits
than I ever did from on-campus labs. I
feel that I do the labs more thoroughly
at home when I don’t have a time
constraint. I have also gained research
and problem solving skills from the
online classes.
Student Survey Comments
The home lab kits really help to further
demonstrate the text in which we are
studying. It makes the class more
exciting by offering hands on. I really
like the idea of a lab accompanying a
course.
Student Survey Comments
I was quite impressed with the amount
of materials included in my home lab
kit. I feel that it more than adequately
covers the labs that I need to perform.
Also I feel that some of the materials,
such as the scale, thermometer,
magnifying glass, etc can be reused for
other classes and in my personal life.
Student Survey Comments
I have been impressed with the home
lab kits for both BIO105 and GEY111
and feel that they are providing a lab
experience that is comparable to one I
would obtain in an on-campus lab.
Student Survey Comments
I think the home lab kits make it fun to
do the labs. I like the variety of labs
they have in there and all the materials
are available at all times. Also at the
beginning of the labs, they explain the
lab and aspects of the lab very well.
Student Survey Comments
Having taken several science courses
both online and at school, I feel online
courses are more difficult in that they
require a higher level of organization.
The at home labs have been more
involved as well, but I’ve really learned
a lot.
Student Survey Comments
The science courses I have taken at
***** on-campus did not require labs to
be written up. Usually, there was a
short answer or fill-in-the-blank few
pages to turn in.
I have only written formal labs with my
online chemistry, physics, and biology
courses.
Student Survey Comments
One thing that’s nice about the home
lab kit is that my son can also
participate in the learning experience.
***************************************************************
The flexibility of home labs most
certainly give more students the
opportunity to take classes, so it is a
very good thing.
Student Survey Comments
I have really enjoyed the at home labs
that I have done. Some highlights are:
burning pieces of food to count
calories, swinging a rope around my
living room, and carrying an egg
around in a jar of karo syrup, all loads
of fun and helpful to learn if it makes
sense too.
Student Survey Comments
I enjoy the opportunity to take labs at
home since I am a working parent. It
provides a hands on experience at any
time that is convenient in my schedule.
I do not have to worry about daycare
or gas money to get to school.
Student Survey Comments
I enjoy being able to have the home
lab kit and be able to complete
experiments right in my own kitchen.
********************************************************
Home lab kits appear to be a great way
to give students options in their
education.
Student Survey Comments
At home labs are much better
because each student is required to
do the work not just a group where 1
person does the work.
*********************************************
I do enjoy the flexibility of online labs
and am glad CCConline provides the
option.
Student Survey Comments
As a first time user of an at home lab
kit, I find it very convenient and simple
to use.
*************************************
I have really enjoyed both forms, but
since my recent surgery, the home lab
has been the most effective.
Student Survey Comments
I think the kits are well put together
and I like the fact that I can do the
course at home, because I wouldn’t
be able to otherwise.
****************************************************************
I’m enjoying doing the work at
home. There’s no experiment or
dissection that I’m missing out on.
Student Survey Comments
I prefer the home lab primarily because
I have the flexibility to take as long as
necessary in one sitting to complete
the lab. Also the quality and level of
experiments is comparable to campus
labs.
Re: At Home Science Lab Kits
“These kits provide students with much of
the same hands-on experience they would
receive in an on-campus lab. Why should
students with families and jobs and the
need for schedule flexibility be locked out
of the joy of science because of a stodgy,
dated approach to teaching in the
laboratory?”
Dr. Paul Vorndam
Science Division Chair
CCCOnline