1. Teaching Undergraduate Science Labs Worldwide
Julie Tolman Thompson, PhD
March 26th, 2018

2. Outline Online Laboratory Context General Course Design Considerations
Solution Type I: Laboratory Kits
Solution Type II: Instrumentation
Integrated Assessment Design
Solution Type III: Simulation
Solution Type IV: Digital Content
Open Educational Resources (OER)
Undergraduate Research Projects (BSNS)
Discussion
Copyright © 2017 American Public University System. All rights reserved.

3. American Public University System
Large, 4-year Institution
88,000+ students
Based in Charles Town, WV
Regionally accredited by HLC
100% Online Curriculum
200+ Degrees & Certificates
Undergraduate
Graduate
Masters
Doctoral (2018)
Copyright © 2017 American Public University System. All rights reserved.

4. Our Students & Schedule
Average Age = 33
Average Class Size = 19
88% working adults
77% Active Duty, Guard, Reserve & Veterans
Variable Scheduling
Copyright © 2017 American Public University System. All rights reserved.

5. Course Design Considerations
Our courses must be:
Designed for the online environment
Academically rigorous
Scalable
Accessible worldwide
Cost effective
Copyright © 2017 American Public University System. All rights reserved.

6. General Course Design Considerations
In general, when selecting solutions for science laboratory courses consider these factors first:
Course Learning Objectives
Course Logistics
Number of Students per Course
Type of Course
Budget
Then Select the Right Tool for the Right Job!
Copyright © 2017 American Public University System. All rights reserved.

7. Examples
Disclaimer:
The laboratory solutions discussed are based on our experience over the last 5+ years
We are not advocating for specific vendors and are not sponsored by them
Copyright © 2017 American Public University System. All rights reserved.

8. Solution Type I: Laboratory Kits
Useful mostly in majors courses; hybrid or fully online courses
Benefits
Replicates the on-campus activities
Hands-on skills are developed
Scalable
Challenges
Limited customization
Logistics
Cost
Credit Image: eScience Labs (2017)
Copyright © 2017 American Public University System. All rights reserved.

9. Solution Type I: Laboratory Kits
Vendor Options:
• eScience Labs
• Carolina Biological
Credit Image: eScience Labs (2017)
Credit Image: Carolina Biological (2017)
Copyright © 2017 American Public University System. All rights reserved.

10. Solution Type II: Instrumentation
Useful mostly in majors courses, fully online courses
Benefits
Replicates the on-campus activities
Hands-on skills are developed
Scalable
Challenges
Cost
Requires ancillary equipment
Technology integration
Credit Image: Vernier (2017)
Copyright © 2017 American Public University System. All rights reserved.

11. Solution Type II: Instrumentation
Specific Example: Vernier instrumentation in majors-level general biology, general chemistry, physics, and physical geology courses
LabQuest 2
Additional probes added in each course
Credit Image: Vernier (2017)
Copyright © 2017 American Public University System. All rights reserved.

12. Sample Student Submissions
Images provided by J. Brinson

13. Assessment Lab Reports Written Video
Assignments submitted to LMS (Sakai)
Specifically teaching labs fully online provides unique opportunity for assessment with our lab kits and instrumentation solutions
In a traditional lab class there is a dynamic that strong personalities that take charge and do the dissections or titrations, experiments and others that take a back seat.
Student in lab APUS lab classes complete written and video lab reports.
-opportunity, as well as the accountability to demonstrate their proficiency
Video for pronunciation to learn to speak science terminology which is often a limitation in online science courses.
Copyright © 2017 American Public University System. All rights reserved.

14. Assessment Grading
Copyright © 2017 American Public University System. All rights reserved.

15. Anatomy & Physiology Lab Assignment
VIDEOS of STUDENT LAB ASSIGNMENTS HERE
Copyright © 2017 American Public University System. All rights reserved.

16. Solution Type III: Lab Simulation
Useful in majors, non-majors, on-ground, hybrid & fully online courses
Benefits
Active learning
Adaptive learning
Computation and Technology Skills
Scalable
Auto-generated lab reports
Challenges
Limited options
Cost*
Accessibility
Credit Image: SmartSparrow (2017)
Copyright © 2017 American Public University System. All rights reserved.

17. Solution Type III: Lab Simulation
Spectrum of interaction and control
Passive
Active
Guided
Adaptive
Copyright © 2017 American Public University System. All rights reserved.

18. Solution Type III: Lab Simulation
Specific Example: PhysioEx in Human Biology course
Credit Image: Pearson (2017)
Copyright © 2017 American Public University System. All rights reserved.

19. Solution Type III: Lab Simulation
Specific Example: Genetic simulation lab in non-majors introductory biology course (McGraw Hill LearnSmart Labs)
Credit Image: McGraw Hill (2017)
Copyright © 2017 American Public University System. All rights reserved.

20. Solution Type III: Lab Simulation
Specific Example: Simulation in majors evolution course (SimBio)
Credit Image: SimBio Virtual Labs (2017)
Copyright © 2017 American Public University System. All rights reserved.

21. Solution Type IV: Digital Content
Useful in majors, non-majors, fully online courses
Benefits
Visual representation of 3 dimensional content
Real life quality
Engaging
Challenges
Limited options
Cost
Accessibility
Image Credit: Thinkwell (2017)
Copyright © 2017 American Public University System. All rights reserved.

22. Solution Type IV: Digital Content
Specific Example: Digital content in anatomy course
Copyright © 2017 American Public University System. All rights reserved.

23. Solution Type IV: Digital Content
Specific Example: Digital content in chemistry course (Thinkwell Video Tutorials)
Copyright © 2017 American Public University System. All rights reserved.

24. OER: Open Educational Resources
Benefits:
Openly licensed
Cost- free
Collaboratively developed
Challenges:
Instruction and assessment development
Quality and accuracy of material
Technology maintenance
Copyright © 2017 American Public University System. All rights reserved.

25. Examples OER for Science Labs
HHMI Biointeractive
PhET
Concord Consortium
DNA Learning Center
Copyright © 2017 American Public University System. All rights reserved.

26. Undergraduate Science Research @ APUS
All BS Natural Sciences students are required to complete a research project prior to graduation
SCIN400 Research Methods
SCIN499 Senior Seminar
Students have collected labware and instrumentation throughout their degree program
Copyright © 2017 American Public University System. All rights reserved.

27. Student Project Examples
Water Quality Sleep & Reaction Time Winter Deer Habitat Use DNA Extraction Protocols Plant Growth Rates Sediment Deposition Rates Tooth Enamel Deterioration Frog Developmental Genetics

28. Faculty Directed Research Programs
Develop long term research programs Utilize citizen science & large public databases

29. Then Select the Right Tool for the Right Job!
Summary
Effective laboratory experiences can be conduced at a distance.
Consider these factors first:
Course Learning Objectives
Course Logistics
Number of Students per Course
Type of Course
Budget
Then Select the Right Tool for the Right Job!
Copyright © 2017 American Public University System. All rights reserved.

30. Instructional Approaches for Distance Science Laboratory Courses
Julie Thompson, PhD
(678)