240 likes | 474 Views
The Virtual Cell Project. Phillip McClean Alan White Brian Slator. North Dakota State University. Educational Role-playing Games “Learning-by-doing” Experiences. MultiUser Exploration Spatially-oriented virtual worlds Practical planning and decision making.
E N D
The Virtual Cell Project Phillip McClean Alan White Brian Slator North Dakota State University
Educational Role-playing Games“Learning-by-doing” Experiences • MultiUser • Exploration • Spatially-oriented virtual worlds • Practical planning and decision making
Educational Role-playing Games“Learning-by-doing” Experiences • Problem solving • Scientific method • Real-world content • Mature thinking
Advantages of Virtual Worlds • Collapse virtual time and distance • Allow physical or practical impossibilities • Participate from anywhere • Interact with other users, virtual artifacts, and software agents • Multi-user collaborations and competitive play
Technical Approaches • Networked, internet-based, client-server • MultiPlayer • Simulation-based • Implemented in Java applets
The VCell VRML Worlds The Cell The Laboratory
Details of the VCell • Interface • Game Play
VCell Login Use VCell login box to connect to the cell The VCell VRML file will load in the Client Window.
VCell Instructions Reference information about organelles, etc. is available here. Goals for each level are listed here Instructions from Lab Guy
Transporting from One Place to Another Click on the Lab Guy icon to move between the Laboratory and the VCell. The Do It Box gives you choices for destinations. For example, this selection will send you to the VCell for your next set of experiments.
Performing Experiments Fly around organelles and perform experiments Choose actions here Choose assays here Experimental Results
Deduction of Organelle Identity Choose Identify action here Choose organelle to identify here Successful identification based on experimental results
Achieving Another Goal Information for new goal New Action and Assay Experimental Results
Completing Another Goal Updated Goals Success again!
Guessing Not Allowed Appropriate experiments required for identification.
All Goals Completed Directions for proceeding to the next level given.
ETC Exercise Instruction Window You arrive in the Lab. Click on the Lab Guy to receive your next instructions. Lab Guy welcomes you back and gives you your next assignment
Mitochondrial Function: Electron Transport Chain Animation ETC Membrane Complexes Molecules in motion Molecule Key http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/ndsu/abergstr/vcell/rox/july27/600p4c.wrl
Chloroplast Function: Work in Progress User in Sub shoots photons to activate photosynthesis Photosystem Complexes
Assessment • Not “multiple choice” recall • Content specific: • Problem solving, hypothesis formation, deductive reasoning
Assessment by Scenarios • Assess computer literacy • PreTest: Present scenario, students propose course of action or solution • Engage in learning experience Control vs Virtual • PostTest: Present similar scenario, student response • Analysis of assessment data
Current Implementation NDSU General Biology Class 600 students total 300 control students 150 alternative (WWW based, but not VCell) students 150 VCell students