Developing a Model Network of Remote Web-Based Science Labs

Primary Presenter: Daniel Branan

Co-Presenter: Paul (PJ) Bennett

Organization: Colorado Community College System

Role: NANSLO LAB Director

Track: Research Presentation

Topic: Educators Connecting/Collaborating Locally & Globally

Level: For Mere Mortals

Abstract: The North American Network of Science Labs Online (NANSLO) seeks to construct a network of Remote Web-Based Science Labs, which use modern laboratory instrumentation in online science lab courses. We will present a history of the NANSLO project, followed by a demonstration of the lab. We will discuss interview data from students and instructors. We will also present data comparing lab reports between three different groups of students: remote, at-home lab kits, and traditional labs.

Bio: Dan Branan is the currently North American Network of Science Labs Online (NANSLO) Lab Director for the Colorado Community College System. Previously, he served as Assistant Professor of Chemistry (1996 – 99, 2004 – 2011), Co-Director of the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (2005 – 2007) and Research Director for the Institute for Information Technology Applications (2005 – 2007) all at the USAF Academy. Branan received his B.S. in chemistry from the University of South Alabama, his M.S. in inorganic chemistry from the Ohio State University and Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from the University of Denver.

Description: The North American Network of Science Labs Online (NANSLO), a collaboration between postsecondary institutions in the US and Canada, seeks to construct, using open source Creative Commons licensing, a network of Remote Web-based Science Labs (RWSL). The goal of this project is to enable critical first-year gatekeeper courses —biology, chemistry and physics (with labs) — to offer the use of modern laboratory instrumentation to online and remote students. The original RWSL was constructed at North Island College, a member of the BCcampus consortium in British Columbia. The initial phase of this project, funded by a grant from EDUCAUSE through the Next Generation Learning Challenges, sought to determine the mobility and universality of the project by replicating the RWSL created in Canada at the Colorado Community College System (CCCS). We will present the data that shows the successful completion of the initial phase of this project and the points we will need to address in the next phase.