Investigating the Mass-Volume
Relationship from Classic to
Collaborative Cloud Experiment
Scott Sinex & Ted Chambers
Prince George’s Community College
Josh Halpern
Howard University
Presented at the 2014 Biennial Conference on Chemical Education
The classic experiment…
variety of stainless steel bolts
balances to 0.01g
graduated cylinders – a
variety of sizes and plastic
Week 2 laboratory activity
This activity in the 21st century…
 calls for careful laboratory data collection (true since Archimedes!)
 explores online collaboration skills in a cloud-based
application
 pooling data
 real-time plotting and computations
 with interpretation/analysis
 compare: group to class to instructor
 examines graphical analysis via algebraic concepts
using a known relationship
 does not teach computational spreadsheet skills
 does not really get into mathematical modeling
(well maybe a little)
Tech logistics…
LCD Projector
real-time graph
in Google Drive
Six groups
of 3-4
students
Lab
Groups
Careful
experimental
data
collection
Instructor’s
computer
Each student
in a group
contributes to
lab report
Google
Google
Google
Form
Spreadsheet
Document
Each group
submits
data
Collect class data
set with real-time
graph and
computations
In the laboratory working as groups
Individual
Students
Outside of class
working as
individuals
Sharing logistics…
Folder in Google Drive: one for each of six groups
set up by instructor - max of four students per
group
Group x
Doc – in class lab (handed out in lab)
Doc – with links to online form, class
spreadsheet of data, evaluation
Sheet - group just add data
Doc – post-lab collaborative report
Students must have a Google account!
Data into online form…
Six groups
of 3-4
students
Lab
Groups
Google
Form
Careful
experimental
data
collection
Each group
submits
data
Form for
students to
enter data
Amassing data in sheets…
LCD Projector
real-time graph
Spring 2014: 17 of 37 entered
How are the data plotting?
Google
Spreadsheet
Collect class data
set with real-time
graph and
computations
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Real-time plotting & computation as data are submitted:
slope (density)
y-intercept
r-squared
Two classes compared to instructor
in Excel…
Percentage of whole number volume readings
Spring 2014 – 97%
Summer 2014 – 73%
Compare group-class-standard…
From y = x plots:
student versus
instructor
data
Spring 2014
Volume errors
Summer 2014
Volume and mass
errors
Collaborative report in docs…
Each student
in a group
contributes to
lab report
Google
Document
Individual
Students
How we judged collaboration:
Used Google version tracking to
determine collaboration
Well distributed among group
members
Student response:
Groups decided work assignments
among themselves
Very positive student feedback
in comments
report question
Assessment…
A: octane
B: water (told)
C: magnesium
• Comparing densities (slopes) on a graph
– 58% groups correct (collaborative reports, n = 12 groups)
– 50% individuals correct (post-lab, n = 44 students)
• Sink or float?
– 30% individuals correct (post-lab, n = 44 students)
Google
Student feedback by a form…
Post-Lab Question (n = 44 students)
mean
(out of 5)
s
Did you like the real-time projected spreadsheet to
watch the class data set develop?
4.3
0.90
Do you think that your group had fairly even
collaborative participation?
4.4
0.73
How would you rate the use of Google Drive
(online form, spreadsheet, document) for this
activity?
4.2
1.00
How would you rate the overall activity as a
learning experience for the concept of density?
4.2
0.99
How would you rate the overall activity as a
learning experience for online collaboration?
4.1
0.97
Form
Individual
Students
Enhancing the materials approach
• Developed a follow-up activity…
• Interactive Google spreadsheet that
explores:
– Density comparisons
– Scatter in the mass-volume data
– Thermal expansion
– Balance off-set error
(not zeroed correctly)
– Sink or float?
… in the
cloud
Some final thoughts
• Engaging pedagogy using 21st century
technology
• Analysis and interpretation of data and
graphs: group - class - standard comparison
• Careful laboratory measurements
• Real-world collaborative interaction
More info...
Scott Sinex ssinex@pgcc.edu
http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex
Google logistics: Data Pool in the Cloud
We thank the NSF Division of Materials Research.
NSF PREM Grant Number DMR-1205608
...and thanks for attending today!!!