This award provides funds to the Department of General Science at Oregon State University to purchase nine microcomputers and essential peripheral equipment for developing and implementing new, inquiry-based investigations for use in a large, non-majors biology course. Over 2,000 students will use the computers each academic year. Using computers to simulate experiments has several advantages over traditional laboratory exercises: experiments can be designed, conducted, and interpreted in less time; complex research problems can be brought into the classroom; opportunities for students to participate as "scientists" are enhanced; and many limitations related to space, equipment, and finances can be overcome. The Department has already created two new, highly successful programs that have allowed students to design and conduct experiments and manipulate variables. Additional new programs will be developed. At present, only one computer is linked to four monitors. This requires the entire class to work in a lockstep process: consequently, independence and opportunities for student creativity are severely restricted. The grantee is matching the award from non-Federal sources.
