LABTOP: The Tablet PC at the Center of Learning

Center for Science, Math & Technology Education
Colorado State University, Fort Collins
Dr. Stephen Thompson
Stephen.Thompson@colostate.edu

2006 Cohort
PROJECT ABSTRACT: The goals of the LABTOP project are to create, design, implement and evaluate an innovative integrated first-year chemistry course for under-represented students in which the Tablet PC is at the center of all teaching and learning. Tablets combine the computational power needed for science and engineering with the portability of paper and the wireless connectivity of a laptop. The Labtop system will seamlessly unite lecture, laboratory work, homework, and field work, literature searching, modeling, simulation, computation and assessment using interdisciplinary case studies. We expect that the use of the LABTOP integrated system will engage students and provide educational relevance and support for the development of cognitive, mathematical and technological skills.

Impact on Student Learning

In the LABTOP system, the Tablet PC and peripherals (e.g. scanners, photo and video equipment) become the learning environment itself; are not external add-ons to support a separate method. Pen entry is the critical element to the whole learning process. Writing and drawing chemical or biological structures, formula and representations next to the actual experiment is made possible by merging the techniques of Small-Scale Chemistry with the technological potential of the computer. Drop scale chemical reactions are carried out on a designed display template. Descriptions of the chemistry can be made literally next to the reactions. LABTOP engages students in doing real science in interdisciplinary contexts, thereby developing their critical thinking skills. We aim to give our students a vital learning space where ideas, insight, and invention flow through the interlinked domains of experiment and theory. By developing and testing these methods in undergraduate retention focused courses, we are building effective instructional strategies for students from low income, first generation college-bound and minority backgrounds so that first year, prerequisite, STEM major courses do not become “gatekeepers” which exclude diverse students.

Impact on Teaching

During the past academic year, pilot case study materials in three areas: Spectroscopy, Energy/Thermodynamics, & Enzyme Kinetics were actively used in the first year general chemistry course and each student was loaned a Tablet PC during both semesters. This was a very rich learning experience for all involved and impacted teaching and learning in multiple ways including:

  • Note-taking and drafting of laboratory reports using the pen-entry feature of the Tablets;
  • Course organization and communication through RamCT (CSU’s version of WebCT/Blackboard)
  • Immediate and on-demand research into questions posed during class discussions through the wireless internet access;
  • Visualization of intricate chemical concepts through the use of modified shareware software such as KPlot to graph complex chemical equilibria;
  • Pre-loading of course’s textual resources onto the Tablet PCs so that all reference materials were immediately at hand for students;
  • Initial development of an ideographic mode of entry so that the instructor can effectively link experimental observational phenomena to theoretical explanation and development of content knowledge

Quick Facts

Courses Impacted:
C111, 112, 113, 114- The 2 semester first-year general chemistry course for science majors, special section with integrated lecture & laboratory for students in an undergraduate retention program.
KACC192- Molecular Principles of Living Systems, a first-year seminar course which bridges biology and chemistry topics.
KA192-Preparation for Organic Chemistry, an experimental course designed to improve student success in the second year.
Number of Students Impacted to Date: >80
Number of Faculty Involved: 5

Keywords: Chemistry, Integration of Laboratory and Lecture, Under-represented First-year Students