Title: The Virtual Lab Research Project: A Pilot Initiative in Florida Aimed at Access
1The Virtual Lab Research Project A Pilot
Initiative in FloridaAimed at Access
Opportunity for all k-12 Students
- Oct., 2004
- Laura Blasi, Ph.D.
- Educational Research (ERTL) COE UCF
- lblasi_at_mail.ucf.edu
2Staff names Listed in speaking order
- Laura Blasi (UCF) Project Director
- Gregg Buckingham (NASA)
- Yedong Terry Tao (UCF) Project Manager
- Berta Alfonso (NASA)
- Shari Foster-Hennighan (UCF) 10th grade Biology
3When and How of the Project
- What is the Virtual Lab Research Project
Timeline? - This research project will take place in 3
classrooms at your high school during the
2004-2005 school year. - Which three classrooms will participate?
- One tenth grade science classroom will
participate with the usual technology - Two tenth grade science classrooms will
participate with the usual technology along with
three extra computers. - How will classrooms be selected to participate?
- Classrooms will be selected by the school
administration based on the experience-levels of
the teachers.
4Why you are hereOverview of Classes
5Overview of the project (Laura)
- The technology and the researcher time on the
Virtual Lab pilot research study is funded by
Bell South during the 2004-2005 school year. - The Virtual Lab study is being conducted in nine
10th grade public high school science classrooms
in Orange county in Orlando, Florida. All
classes are general education classes (not
honors or AP). - The study includes schools serving students from
a range of socio-economic status levels, in order
to document the impact of the Virtual Lab
software and to contribute to the further
development of the program using the voices of
students as they use and react to the software. - This study has been designed to contribute to the
software development in conjunction with the
efforts educational technology specialists at the
Kennedy Space Center (KSC), NASA.
6Beyond the Pilot with Purpose
- VL is still being developed What happens when
teachers and students are given this basic tool? - Voices of teachers and students
- Students in general education, range of SES
- Future VL-related projects
- Relationship with UCF
- Relationship with NASA Kennedy Space Center
7What will students do?
- All students will participate in the following
activities - a) A survey in October and again in March
- b) Two interviews as needed by researchers and
coordinated with the science teachers - c) Classroom observations on video as needed by
researchers, coordinated with the science
teachers (A) - Any additional interviews while using the two
extra computers will be coordinated with the
science teachers. (A)
8What will teachers do?
- If you agree to participate it means that you are
willing to - a) complete a maximum of three surveys regarding
your experiences each lasting no longer than 30
minutes, - b) have participating students in your class or
your class as a whole observed and taped (as
arranged with you prior) and - c) you are also choosing to participate in the
interview portion of this study (four, each
lasting no longer than 30 minutes).
9Purpose and benefits
- What is the purpose of this project?
- This project aims to document the use of the
Virtual Lab (VL) software and to contribute to
the further development of the program using the
voices of students when they interact with the
software. - How does this benefit my school?
- Free software will be given to your school by
NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC), along with
teacher training. In addition, six computers are
being donated by UCF in conjunction with NASA KSC
at the end of the school year. - FCAT workshop
10Hands-on activities (Laura)
- Use your PowerPoint handouts and follow the 6
steps with your partner. - We will come by if you need help.
- We will stop after twenty minutes.
11Hands on ActivityHere are the navigation tools
againj
121. You are on the first floor of the building.
Walk through the sliding doors outside and look
around.
13Good!2. Now walk back inside and on the first
floor find the photo on the wall with the girl
in it.
144. What happens when you double right click on
the photo of the girl?
155. Go upstairs and double-left click on the SEM.
What happens?
166. This is the final step, double-right click to
activate the SEM (it will take a little time to
open). Explore until time is up.
17Discussion With your partner discuss
- 1. One possible idea for using VL in your class
- 2. One question you have about the project
- 3. We will have general discussion
18Next steps
- Oct. 11th week Install computers, drop off
student and parent permission letters. - Oct. 18th week Collect student and parent
permission letters, survey given to students in
your classes, Shari will contact you for an
interview by phone, Terry will contact A
teachers to set up classroom schedule. - Oct. 25th week The FCAT workshop will be
scheduled on a Wed. for all 10th grade Biology
teachers in your school, through your school
contact. Shari will begin classroom consultations
into November.
19Wrap-up
- Survey
- IRB Permissions Letters
- Invoices (signed for reimbursement)
20Resources for You
- http//education.ksc.nasa.gov/edtech/vl.htm
21Contacts
- UCF Virtual Lab Project Staff
- Yedong Terry Tao, Project Manager,
yedtao_at_mail.ucf.edu - Laura Blasi, Project Director, lblasi_at_mail.ucf.edu
, Office 407/823-1761 -
- The College of Education, The University of
Central Florida (UCF)Department of Educational
Research, Technology, and Leadership
(ERTL)Education Complex Office 222B 4000
Central Florida Blvd.PO Box 161250Orlando, FL
32816-1250 - Also
- NASA KSC Contact Education Technology, Virtual
Lab Project Manager - Berta Alfonso, phone 321-861-9083
Berta.A.Alfonso_at_nasa.gov.