Title
Implementing Virtual Laboratories and Online Learning for STEM+ Education
Amount
$150,000
Period of Grant
2011-2013
Catalyst Initiative
Multi-Versity
Project Team
Dr. Lei Qian (PI), Dr. Sajid Hussain, Dr. Natalie Arnett, and Dr. Sanjukta Hota.
Project Summary
In the proposed project, Fisk University plans to introduce online teaching technologies, including virtual labs, web-based computer simulations, webinars, audio and video lectures into Chemistry, Mathematics, and Computer Science courses. We plan to collaborate with other HP Catalyst Multi-Versity Consortium members, including Northwestern University, Western Washington University, National University and Renmin University (China) to share online teaching experiences and resources. HP tablets, web cameras, servers and other equipment will be used to achieve the proposed objectives.
Description of Students Impacted
The project will directly impact students who take MATH100 (Intermediate Algebra) course. It will also impact STEM students who take General Chemistry 103 and 104 laboratory courses. Students in Computer Science who take Computer Networks, Database Management, Operating Systems, and Theory of Computing will also be impacted. The web-based network and automata simulators can also be used by students in other institutions. Eight three percent (83%) of Fisk students are African Americans and fourteen percent (14%) are international students from Africa.
Innovation Details
In the proposed project, Fisk University plans to introduce online teaching technologies, including virtual labs, web-based computer simulations, webinars, audio and video lectures into Chemistry, Mathematics, and Computer Science courses. We plan to collaborate with other HP Catalyst Multi-Versity Consortium members, including Northwestern University, Western Washington University, National University and Renmin University (China) to share online teaching experiences and resources. HP tablets, web cameras, servers and other equipment will be used to achieve the proposed objectives. We expect the project will:
- Increase retention rate and enrollment.
- Broaden the participation of instructors and increase the number of instructors using technology in the classroom.
- The multimedia presentation will motivate and engage students.
- Promote student research.
- Reduce the cost of education.
- Increase student interest and help students understanding materials better.
- Increase the quality of all liberal arts education in Fisk because Math100 is the basis of all majors in Fisk.
- The online education model can be extended to other courses in Fisk University.
- The model can be applied to other countries and minority institutions.