Developing online lessons to improve student success in general chemistry and organic chemistry labs

Written by buf-zhingoh on . Posted in

Awarded Grant: $10,000 Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Middleton, SUNY Purchase This project will improve student learning outcomes in General and Organic Chemistry laboratory courses by incorporating online, video-based lessons into the laboratory curriculum. The project will target subjects that will have the largest impact for student success both in chemistry and in other laboratory disciplines. The lessons will help develop students’ hands-on laboratory skills, conceptual understanding of individual chemistry topics, and ability to conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis of results. Overall, we expect that this course development will improve student success in the laboratory and associated lecture courses and increase retention of students as they advance towards their degrees. This course model can be applied to other laboratory disciplines to further support student achievement in STEM programs. Co-PI’s and Key Partners: Stephen Cooke, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Doris and Carl Kempner Distinguished Professor, Purchase College Chemistry Joe Skrivanek, Professor of Chemistry, Purchase College Chemistry Monika Eckenberg, Lecturer in Chemistry, Purchase College Chemistry Reports and Resources: Mid-project report

NCCC Electronic Learning Compliance Initiative

Written by buf-zhingoh on . Posted in

Principal Investigator: Lisa Dubuc, Niagara County Community College The Niagara County Community College (NCCC) eLearning department is seeking funding to launch a new initiative designed to assess and assist faculty in ensuring that all online courses meet the compliance requirements set forth by the Higher Education Act (HEQA), Middle States, and the American Disabilities Act (ADA). NCCC will expand upon the efforts already set in place by the SUNY FACT2 Advisory Council and the Open SUNY Center for Online Teaching Excellence (COTE) Competency Development Team. Specifically, funds will be used to initiate the Electronic Learning Compliance Initiative in an effort to better gauge existing compliance problems and to create an action plan that will allow NCCC eLearning faculty to better learn about accessibility and their legal obligations when creating content for distribution online. Ultimately,the College will be able to offer customized professional development opportunities, workshops, online “tips of the week”, blog posts, and/or online webinars and videos designed to address main areas of concern. Co-PI’s and Key Partners: Donna Simiele, eLearning Technologies Integration Specialist, Niagara County Community College Reports and Resources:

Collaborative Initiative on Problem Based Learning in Music

Written by buf-zhingoh on . Posted in

Awarded Grant: $10,000 Principal Investigator: Natalie Sarrazin, The College at Brockport Problem-based learning is an effective, student-centered approach in which students learn higher-order thinking skills and integrative strategies by solving real-world challenges. As one of the critical pillars in a liberal-arts educational system, music is uniquely situated to advance this new, innovative pedagogical approach. This pilot project seeks to develop models and materials for survey and topic-based music courses that integrates general education content while encouraging students to think creatively and develop flexible solutions to large-scale issues and problems – skills essential for success in the 21st century. Support materials emerging from this collaboration such as, outcomes, models, and case studies, will be made available through Open SUNY. Co-PI’s and Key Partners: Tony Dumas, Assistant Professor of Music, Theatre and Music Studies/Delta College, The College at Brockport Reports and Resources: Mid-project report  

iPad Mechanics Physics Instruction

Written by buf-zhingoh on . Posted in

Awarded Grant: $10,000 Principal Investigator: Dan MacIsaac, Buffalo State We propose to create videos and written lab instructions as useable learning objects for teachers of physics both at the HS and College level. These materials will be shared across and outside of SUNY via the SUNY Digital Learning Commons. We will obtain and integrate 11 IPads running Vernier Software’s _Vernier Physics App for iOS_ (cited in MERLOT II) into Introductory Mechanics and Teaching Introductory Mechanics courses (PHY107, 111, 510 and 620) using technology for video data collection and analysis of motion data in instructional laboratories. We will use video capture of mechanical phenomena (Eg dropped, tossed, rotating, and colliding objects) to study projectile motion, directly measure object linear and angular displacement, velocity and acceleration, fitting and selecting appropriate mathematical models to mechanics in laboratory exercises. We will develop three appropriate laboratory experiments making use of the system for kinematics – gravitation/projectile motion, momentum conservation, and rotational dynamics. We also have longer-term plans to use the iPads for additional open-ended media physics projects and investigations. Co-PI’s and Key Partners: David S Abbott, Instructional Support Specialist, Department of Physics, Buffalo State Kathleen Falconer, Part-Time Lecturer for Department of Mathematics, Buffalo State David Ettestad, Associate Professor of Physics, Buffalo State David Henry, Associate Professor of Elementary Education and Reading and Adjunct Professor of Physics, Buffalo State Brad Gearhart, physics teacher at Math Science and Technology Preparatory Academy PS#197, Buffalo Public Schools; and Summer Adjunct Instructor for Department of Physics, Buffalo State Reports and Resources: Mid-project report