The major thrust of this project is integrating computers into the laboratory components of six courses in biology: invertebrate zoology, ecology, animal physiology, animal behavior, independent study, and senior research. While the authors have previously incorporated computer-based laboratory exercises into these courses, the students have been severely limited in their ability to participate actively in these laboratories because of a lack of equipment. This project rectifies this problem by providing access to groups of two students to a computer with supporting software and interfacing devices. Through laboratory exercises in these courses, students are introduced to computers as biological tools that can be used to collect and analyze data. This introduction demonstrates the usefulness of computers to them, and more importantly, allows the students more time during laboratory sessions to think about the results, to design new experiments, and to perform these additional experiments. The students also use the computers and software programs to conduct on-line literature searches, to learn to use the Internet and Mosaic, and to prepare oral presentations of their results using a computer display projector. These computers, along with new physiological equipment, can also be used by upper-level students for their senior research projects. A computer linked to an overhead display unit is being made available for use in the lecture component of these courses, in which the system can function as an electronic blackboard. This project shows faculty members how computers can facilitate learning and encourages them incorporate these types of learning experience into two larger courses offered by the department, general biology and human anatomy and physiology.
