1

North American Network of Science Labs On-line (NANSLO)

BC Innovation Goes International

Gina BennettRon EvansPaul Stacey

NANSLOInternetStudents

2

This session is a case study of how BC based development went international by being open.

• 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

3

In the beginning …

Space Science and Astronomy (SSA) Lab Science Courses- Entirely Web-based

NIC’s SSA courses are taught from a remote community onthe BC Central Coast and reach students anywhere there is Internet access

The Labs are taught on-line using locally available materials and …

4

Tatla Lake On-line Observatory

TLOOallows students to control

a research grade telescopeover the web.

Space Science is multi-disciplinary,so how do we teach ALL sciences over the web?

5

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!

We have completed or are just completing thefirst and second semesters of Geology, Physics, Biology, and Chemistry.

How do we deliver the labs on-line?

Some labs can be delivered using a lab kit, but some can’t.

The science theory can be delivered on-line with relative ease,but the labs are more challenging.

Web-based Associate of Science (WASc) Project

CC licensed by ImageEditor

http://rwsl.nic.bc.ca/

6

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

The Remote Web-based Science Laboratory (RWSL):

This is the concept that the NANSLO projectwill duplicate and further develop in Colorado

7

LabEquipment

Internet RWSL

Observation

Data

Manipulation

Students

Physics• Air Track• Sound• Spectrometer• E/M Apparatus

Biology• Microscope

Chemistry• Spectrometer

Communications Data Acquisition

Observation Physical Manipulation

RWSL Overview

8

Pan Tilt Zoom CameraInspection Camera

Video StreamerVideo Mixer

Video Archive

Observation

9

Robotic ArmLinear SlidesRotary TablesSlide Loader

Physical Manipulation

10

Chemistry/PhysicsSpectrometer – properties of light such as intensity, polarization, wavelength

LabVIEW Software

Data Acquisition 1

11

PhysicsE/M Apparatus – charge of an

electron relative to its massLabVIEW Software

Data Acquisition 2

12

Text ChatSkype

Elluminate

Communications

12

LabEquipment

Internet RWSL

Observation

Data

Manipulation

Students

Communications Data Acquisition

Observation Physical Manipulation

13

NANSLO

RWSL

14

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

15

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.”

The motion passed (with 2 abstentions and nobody opposing).

Physics & Astronomy Articulation meeting, 2010

CC licensed by wynlok

16

Quality of online science curricula

• learning outcomes• best practices• Guidelines for Laboratory Courses within the BC

Transfer System

An interesting question, though…

Quality for whom?

• Learner• Profession• Community

CC licensed by Cristiano de Jesus

17

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

18

DEMOWhat does the student see?

19http://nextgenlearning.org

20

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

21

North American Network of Science Labs Online - NANSLO

British Columbia

Colorado

Wyoming

Montana

22

- Describe initiative including funding sources, grant and partners WICHE & CCCS - Paul

NANSLOLOGICMODELpart 1

23

NANSLOLOGICMODELpart 2

24

• 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.

Q&A