Designing and Implementing
Virtual Courseware
to Promote
Inquiry-based Learning
Mel Limson
Robert Desharnais and Dave Mayo
Departments of Biological and Geological Sciences
California State University, Los Angeles
Developed with support from the
U.S. National Science Foundation and the
California State University
Project Philosophy
Students Learn by Doing!
Virtual Courseware activities are interactive
simulations that emphasize the scientific method:
• making observations
• proposing hypotheses
• designing experiments
• collecting and analyzing data
• synthesizing and communicating results
Activities Produced
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Virtual FlyLab (1995)
Virtual Earthquake (1996)
Biology Labs On-Line (1999 –2002)
Geology Labs On-Line (1999–2001)
New Earthquake Activity (2000–2003)
Global Warming Suite (2002 –2005)
• Energy Balance
• Future Climate Change
• VCISE - Virtual Courseware for Inquiry-based Science Education (2004 +)
• Drosophila
• Geologic Relative Dating
Guiding Design Principles
• Align to learning standards or objectives
• Make the software web-based and easily accessible
• Design to be interactive, intuitive, and inquiry-based
• Reinforce scientific methodology and thinking skills
• Create open-ended simulations with linear
demonstration tours
Guiding Design Principles
• Simulate experimental error by programming
randomization algorithms
• Provide mechanisms that allow students to save results
• Incorporate assessment tools
• Allow customization by instructors
• Provide supporting documentation
ScienceCourseware.org
Virtual Courseware Project Team
Robert Desharnais, Ph.D.
Project Director, Biological Sciences
Email: rdeshar@calstatela.edu
David Risner
Software Engineer
Dave Mayo, Ph.D.
Project Co-Director, Geological Sciences
Bobby Berberyan
Graphics Designer
Paul Narguizian, Ph.D.
Faculty Associate, Science Education
LaShawn Allen
Graduate Assistant
Mel Limson, Ph.D.
Project Manager
Email: mlimson@calstatela.edu
ScienceCourseware.org