Experimentation using the Web is a routine phenomenon in biology at Penn State Lehigh Valley. Each student in introductory biology investigates and develops an independent research project in genetics, and botany students use the Web for identification of specimens.
In order to integrate the Web into the freshman biology class -- to achieve learning that would go beyond the weekly three-hour lab session that also is required -- Jacqueline McLaughlin, assistant professor of biology, created a Web site to organize information for students. The Web site allows them to work independently.
For their project, students conduct two separate experiments investigating the inheritance of traits in plants. After a thorough explanation of the "scientific method" of experimentation, students are required to formulate hypotheses and write a scientific protocol before they begin. Then, working in pairs, the students are responsible for planting and caring for the plants, completing the genetic crosses and collecting scientific data. Following the completion of the experiments, all student data is pooled, averaged and statistically analyzed. Students then independently design and write a scientific paper, similar to what would be published in a professional scientific journal.
All the information students need for the project, such as experimental procedures, scientific writing procedures and background information, can be found at the site at http://www.lv.psu.edu/jxm57/bio-110.htmlThe site also offers students a review of basic Mendelian genetics with animations of two types of genetic crosses.
Beyond offering independence, the Web site is successful because students like to use the Web, and the site helps them see the "big picture." The site lays out the entire project for them, so they can critically evaluate and ponder every step of the project in context.
"Students really become involved with their project and feel a commitment to science and become familiar with scientific investigation by using the Web," McLaughlin said.
The Web project has proven invaluable to the class since it allows students not only to master the experimentation process itself, but to offer experience in scientific presentation via the written word.
In addition, a new Web site devoted to the identification of Pennsylvania trees helps Penn State Lehigh Valley botany students. The site, at http://www.lv.psu.edu/jxm57/trees/main_page.htm also lists the procedures to set up a herbarium using a plant press and dichotomous key.
"This site is set up to allow the students to spend most of their time romping through forests, parks or their own backyards to collect specimens and then using the information on the Web to identify their collections. The Web is a tool for learning and is an asset which increases experimental organization and understanding," said McLaughlin. "However, the Web should not replace the biology students' contact with living organisms and their place in nature."