Supported by a Faculty Development Grant from IBM and State of NC
funds to the NC Community College System, this project is looking at
how middleware
tools such as the Virtual Computer Lab
(VCL) can be effectively used to promote learning in K-16 education. A
overarching goal is the use of remote computing technologies (i.e.,
cloud computing) to provide equal access among all schools to powerful
computer-based tools for learning. The current focus has been an
evaluation project with the NC Community Colleges, planning for
maximizing the effectiveness of an eventual statewide role-out of the
VCL system. Research as part of this project is building off of a
theoretical framework of technological innovation in instruction and
integration of new technologies into organizations. This project is
coordinating its work with the North Carolina Connectivity Project,
which has as its goal to bring cost-effective high-speed network
connectivity to all K-12 schools in North Carolina. As this project
progresses, these technologies will be evaluated and studied in K-12
settings. Graduate Research Assistants are Tara Behrend and David
Sharek.
Since the summer of 2005, the Friday Institute has been collaborating with educators from northeastern North Carolina school districts to create innovative classroom practices – and a technology infrastructure to support them – in rural public schools. In a project headed up by Lisa Grable, Meg Blanchard and Eric Wiebe, the Institute has been collaborating with educators from school districts in Franklin, Roanoke Rapids, Granville, Weldon City, Northhampton, and Halifax counties. The initial focus is to look at how new, technology-based learning tools will enable interactive, collaborative and engaging learning experiences that boost creativity and self-directed learning skills. Partnerships with some of the world’s leading technology companies (Cisco, IBM, Nortel and SAS) will help integrate technology into the classroom. A particular focus is for middle school science and math teachers to help their students use scientific instruments and sensors (from partner Vernier Software and Technology) to engage in data-rich inquiry-based learning methods.
The Visualization in Science Education project was funded by the NC GlaxoSmithKline Foundation to support the Mathematics and Science Collaboratory of the Friday Institute. This project is engaged in basic research into how graphics and other visiospatial materials are used in science education as well as looking at how to more effectively produce, test, and disseminate these materials to classrooms. Much of this work is being carried out under Project VISE (Visualization in Science Education). The GSK project team has set up a research lab at Friday Institute that includes eye tracking, video and audio recording, and screen capture equipment, allowing researchers to capture all aspects of student/teacher/media interaction. The project was actively involved in designing, purchasing, and installing equipment in the new Friday Institute building, which opened Fall 2005.
LabWrite is a NSF-funded project working to improve the quality and instructional effectiveness of undergraduate laboratory reports. The project has produced websites for students and for instructors to help support the lab report writing process. The website was supplemented by on-site training and course support. In the Fall of 2000, lab courses in Biology, Chemistry, Geology, and Materials Science and Engineering participated in a pilot of the LabWrite material. In 2003 the project was refunded and a new, redesigned site was developed. A new round of piloting is currently underway at NC State, Duke, Meredith College, Central Carolina Community College, and NC A&T. These schools, along with others nationally are using both our old and new sites.