Distance Learning with Virtual Unknown : Microbiology (TM)

Gary R. Wilson, McMurry University

Henry L. Outland III, University of Texas at Dallas

Abstract:

VirtualUnknown:Microbiology(TM) (www.virtualunknown.com) is a simulation of aseptic technique and the media, tests, and processes involved in identifying bacteria. It differs from other simulations in requiring student mastery of the concepts and skills actually used in the lab in order to be successful in the software. It is extremely versatile and allows an instructor to set parameters of the software to match the level of ability of students and purpose for the work. Errors in technique and judgment are recorded in the automatic lab report for evaluation by the instructor, allowing unmatched assessment of student competencies.

Because of its faithfulness to the actual wet lab work done by students, we began to investigate ways in which it could be incorporated into a distance learning environment. The result is version 2.0, which will be released this summer. The DL package allows an instructor to use VUMicro to teach many of the topics commonly covered in introductory microbiology labs electronically. A lab manual with exercises adapted to the electronic lab is provided. Through the DL package, an instructor can control the features of the software on the student's home computer remotely, allowing its use for tutorial, practice, and testing purposes. Communicating via email or phone, an instructor can provide a realistic electronic equivalent for a significant portion of the microbiology lab to the DL student and receive unprecedented assessment of student competency.

The demonstration will entail setting up two computers, one as instructor and one as distance learning student, to show:

· how the instructor can control the setup of the software on the student computer

· how the student works at home to learn the concepts

· how the instructor can assess mastery of the concepts.

Benefit in Attending Session:

One of the barriers to offering distance learning courses in the laboratory sciences has been the inability to provide a hands-on, laboratory equivalent in the distance learning setting. This approach provides the best attempt yet to approximate electronically the processes and actions involved in assessing the biochemical traits of bacteria and following through the logic and judgment used for identifying bacteria. Institutions considering delivery of an introductory or medical microbiology course through distance learning would find this demonstration to be highly valuable.

PRIMARY AUTHOR'S INFORMATION

Gary R. Wilson, Ph.D.

Department of Biology

McMurry University

Abilene, Texas 79697-0057

Telephone Number: (915)-793-4777

Fax Number: (915)-793-4770

E-mail Address: wilsong@mcmurryadm.mcm.edu

Web Site: http://www.cs1.mcm.edu/~gwilson/index

CO-AUTHORS' INFORMATION

Henry L. Outland III

1710 Hwy 720 E. #3

Little Elm, Texas 75068

Telephone Number(s): (972)-294-0413

Fax Number(s): (972)-294-8519

E-mail Address(es): outland@intuitiveinc.com

Web Site(s): www.virtualunknown.com