Use of Technology for Student Learning

Using Technology to Enhance Student Learning
within Schools and Departments

Biology	Electrical and Computer Engineering	Mathematics and Computer Science
Business Administration	English	Modern Languages
Chemistry	Health Education and Sports Science	Psychology
Civil and Environmental Engineering	History	Physics
Education	Library

Biology

• Video Microscopy: We make use of video microscopy to project images of microscope slides so that students can compare their individual slides with the "model" projected image. This is a valuable tool for helping students identify structures and is employed in a variety of courses including Introductory Biology (for both majors and non majors), Histology, Microbiology, and Developmental Biology.

• BIOPAC Computerized Data Acquisition System: BIOPAC is a specialized software/hardware based package which allows students to record and analyze real-time physiological function including, electroencephalograms (EEGs), electrocardiograms (ECG), and force transduction. BIOPAC is geared towards inquiry based, active learning, which allows students to participant in, rather than merely receive, their own education. It is used extensively in the Animal Physiology and Human Physiology courses.

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Laboratory: The Biology Department has established an extensive GIS laboratory that includes computers, Global Positioning System equipment, software for image analysis, data compression and storage, and modeling, underwater cameras, etc. This laboratory is used in support of undergraduate and graduate research programs and for courses including Ecology, Marine Biology, and Freshwater Biology.

• Technology in Individual Biology Courses:

1) Genetics 308 and 508 - Literature Searches: Students use the Internet to access bibliographic databases such as MedLine, Basic Biosis, Biological and Agricultural Index, etc., to find abstracts on a particular topic, read and interpret the abstracts and write an outline for a paper they would write on the topic (Pre-Internet these databases were accessed in print, on CD or only by librarians). This is required three times during the semester. Students do literature searches for information relevant to their lab reports.

2) Genetics 308 and 508 - Bioinformatics: Students use the Internet to access the genetic database, GenBank. (Pre-Internet, this was accessed using a purchased CD) They also access a program that finds restriction enzyme sites in a given DNA sequence. They are required to find a particular gene sequence, import it into the restriction enzyme analysis program and do a restriction digest on the DNA sequence. These are tools commonly used by individuals doing gene cloning.

3) Genetics 508 - Bioinformatics: Students interpret a DNa sequencing gel and use the Internet to Access GenBank, a genetic database. They are required to learn how to use the BLAST program at GenBank which allows them to search GenBank to find sequences that most closely match theirs and interpret
the data.

4 )Molecular Genetics 424 - DNA microarray analysis: In Spring 2002 students used DNA microarrays to look at gene expression in yeast. They then analyzed the data using two free programs, Scanalyze and TreeView, that ITS downloaded onto specific computers in the computer lab.

5) Research students-

(a) DNA analysis: We routinely use DNA analysis programs that we have access to at MUSC with research students. The predominant program we use is the GCG suite of DNA analysis programs and Sequencher.

(b) Bibliographic database: Students use EndNote, a bibliographic database management program to organize references.

(c) Presentation of data: students use PowerPoint for oral presentations as well as to produce poster presentations of their data.

(d) Photoshop: Students use Photoshop to prepare their data images for presentation, adding labels, text, etc.

Business Administration

Most courses in the School of Business Administration make substantial use of spreadsheets, business planning software, tax preparation software, or software that is packaged with various textbooks. Additionally, a number of professors use course websites to post notes, practice exams, syllabi, and supplemental reading; some offer on-line MBA courses. One offers a web design course at the graduate level. Finally, one professor requires all his students in the undergraduate professional sales course to make a video that highlights a local company. This video is the preeminent graded exercise in his course.

Chemistry

The faculty of the Chemistry Department routinely use the equipment found on the departmental web site in both teaching and in research. These include the specialized items described below; however, it should be noted that this is a representative sample of the department's instrumentation and that the same general statements may be made about all the equipment. Please refer to the Equipment page of the Chemistry Department's web site for further detail.

•   The state-of-the-art gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer can do automated sampling, separation, and identification of materials. This instrument is used in the organic chemistry class to identify components in their samples; and it is used as a hands-on instrument in student research projects where student actually sets up and runs the sample. The students gain valuable experience on a research-grade instrument.

•   The scanning electron microscope is used to investigate surface structure of samples. This instrument is used in the analytical chemistry courses. Its main use is in research when students needs to study the surface structure of their samples.

•   The Fourier transform infrared spectrometer is used to study the bonds in compounds. The students in the organic chemistry classes gain an understanding of IR through the use of this instrument. The students in the analytical courses investigate how this instrument is used under a variety of conditions. Students involved in research (primarily organic projects) apply the techniques learned in their course work to monitor the progress of reactions.

•   The atomic absorption spectrophometer can be used to identify specific elements present in a sample. Analytical chemistry students are the primary users of this instrument at the beginning levels. Any research project where metals or metal ions may be of interest utilize this instrument. Most recently, environmental studies where heavy metals were suspected contaminants made use of this form of analysis.

Civil and Environmental Engineering

•   In the past ten years, drawing via the use of computers has become an essential skill for all engineers. In the CEE program, the students begins developing this skill in our CIVL-101 course. This courses has as its major educational objective the teaching of the necessary skills in AutoCAD, the standard computer assisted drawing software. These skills are further reinforced in such courses as Surveying (CIVL-205), Highways (CIVL-302), and the Capstone Design course (CIVL 423).

•   The use of the computer to perform routine calculations has been enhanced by a number of software packages. The CEE department teaches MathCAD, an excellent numerical package, in CIVL-209. This course provides the student opportunities to develop skills in routine engineering calculations, plotting, and programming. The students use the skills developed in this course throughout their curriculum—in just about every course they take after the sophomore year.

•   Surveying has changed considerably over the last decade due to technology. Students develop in CIVL-205 (Surveying) as well as in CIVL-207 (Geomatics) skills in the use of electronic measuring devices such as TOTAL STATIONS.

•   GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and GPS (Global Positioning Systems) have been a strong component of engineering. In CIVL-207 and CIVL-237 (Geomatics Lab), students develop skills in using the hardware as well as the software to develop GIS maps. Specifically, the student uses kinematic GPS systems to perform routine surveys and uses the program ArcView to create complex GIS maps.

•   Students are given the opportunity to develop skills in the use of structural design and analysis software such as SAP, STAAD, and RISA in such courses as CIVL-309 (Structural Analysis) and CIVL-406 (Steel Design).

•   Students learn to use basic technological testing equipment in such laboratories as CIVL-307 (Mechanics of Materials Lab), CIVL-410 (Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory), CIVL-418 (Fluids Laboratory), and CIVL-419 (Environmental Engineering Laboratory). In addition, students make extensive use of EXCEL and WORD in developing their laboratory reports.

•   In CIVL-411 (Engineering Management) as well as in CIVL 421 (Subdivision Planning and Design), students develop skills in using project management tools such as Microsoft Project.

Education

The Citadel is infusing and assessing the standards of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) throughout The Citadel's teacher education program.

•   The Instructional Material Center (IMC) resource room in the School of Education is customized for students and faculty in the Education, Health and Physical Education, and School Psychology programs. A large selection of books, videos, software, and hands-on manipulatives are available for check-out by Citadel facult, staff, and students. The IMC also has four computer workstations, a TV/VCR, a scanner, and printers.

•   A state-of-the-art multimedia classroom used by the School of Education houses sixteen computer workstations and a teacher workstation with projection capabilities.

•   Technologies used in classroom instruction include PowerPoint presentations, ePortfolios, and web access to online databases for teaching and conducting research.

•   Email is used to communicate with students individually as well as via class distribution lists; and documents, photos, and other files are shared via email attachments.

•   Five School of Education faculty members have created and maintain web pages with printable course information for students, and some faculty use WebCT for online instruction and testing.

•   The School of Education Website provides electronic access to program requirements, printable forms, course information and syllabi, faculty information, a calendar of events, and Praxis information.

Electrical and Computer Engineering

It is no surprise that the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering makes extensive use in the classroom of technology to teach its highly technical subject matter. The operation of both hardware and software are taught in our hands-on laboratory courses, but technology is directly incorporated in the classroom. Frequent live demonstrations of simulation and numerical analysis programs are displayed in the classroom using installed overhead video projectors. Further, the students are required in many courses to become proficient in these programs.

The principal programs used are also widely used by engineers working in industry and include:

PSPICE-a circuit analysis program
MATLAB-a program for numerical analysis that finds a broad variety of uses in the design, analysis, and simulation of systems.
SIMULINK-a derivative of MATLAB aimed at the simulation of system performance.
Logic Works-a simulator for digital circuits.

To illustrate the extensive exposure to technology received by the students, examples from many of our courses are given. The programs are not only used to demonstrate the subject material, their use is also required for many student assignments.

ELEC 104 AND 105-ENGINEERING FUNDAMENTAL I AND II
Freshmen are introduced to PSPICE and are required to capture and simulate resistive DC networks several times.

ELEC 206-COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Both MATLAB and C++ are demonstrated and taught.

ELEC 201 AND 202-ELECTRIC CIRCUITS I AND II
PSPICE is used to analyze both DC and AC circuits.

ELEC 204-ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS LABORATORY
PSPICE is used to analyze circuits to predict performance before constructing and measuring the circuit in the laboratory. The students learn to operate many types of electronic test equipment.

ELEC 301-LINEAR CIRCUITS LABORATORY
MATLAB and SIMULINK are applied to system analysis.

ELEC 312-ELECTRICAL MACHINERY LABORATORY
The students gain hands-on experience in the operation and measurement of motors and generators.

ELEC 306-ELECTRONICS I
PSPICE is used to simulate circuits and demonstrate both linear and nonlinear behaviors.

ELEC 309-LINEAR CIRCUIT ANALYSIS
MATLAB is used extensively to demonstrate Fourier recomposition and simulate the responses of a variety of circuits and systems. A spectrum analyzer/tracking generator is brought into the classroom to demonstrate signal spectra and frequency response.

ELEC 311-DIGITAL LOGIC AND CIRCUITS
Unique hardware and software are foundation teaching tools of ELEC 311. The Digi-Designer breadboard with integrated power supply and I/O is provided to each student with component parts. The kit is housed in a briefcase, allowing the student to design, build and test digital circuits in the comfort of his own room. PSPICE is employed for logic design capture and simulation.

ELEC 312-SYSTEMS I
MATLAB is the basic tool used to demonstrate, analyze, and simulate the behavior of control systems.

ELEC 313-ELECTRONICS LABORATORY
PSPICE is used to predict the behavior of test circuits designed by the students. The students make detailed measurements with a variety of professional electronic instrumentation.

ELEC 330-DIGITAL SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
This course continues the use of a logic design and simulation tool (PSPICE, Logic Works, CircuitMaker), but also uses a software developed specifically for simulation of the Motorola 68HC11, the THRSimll simulator, assembler and disassembler. The department bought a one-time license with unlimited distribution rights for educational use. It is the foundation tool for this course as allows the student to write and debug code to run on the 68HC11, complete with simulated I/O.

ELEC 401-ELECTRONICS II
PSPICE is used to demonstrate the circuits designed by the students.

ELEC 405/415-MEASUREMENTS/MEASUREMENTS LAB
In this course/lab combination, students are introduced to automated instrumentation and measurement systems using a combination of data acquisition hardware and software. LabVIEW, a programming language specifically designed for instrumentation and measurement systems, is taught and utilized extensively.

ELEC 407-SYSTEMS II
As in Systems I, MATLAB is the fundamental tool for both the instructor and the students.

ELEC 416-COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
This course includes several hardware and software demonstrations and simulations as well as labs where the students construct and test amplitude and frequency modulation circuits.

ELEC 419-COMPUTER NETWORK ARCHITECTURE
This course includes a no-additional-credit "network lab" experience. Six computers, network adapters, and interconnecting hardware (cables, hubs, etc.) are dedicated to this effort. Students complete 3-4 experiments per semester beginning with simple computer-to-computer communications via direct cable connection. They progress to workgroup networking and finally to basic performance modeling and analysis of networks.

ELEC 422-DESIGN I AND II
In this capstone course, the students make extensive use of hardware and software to complete and demonstrate a major product design over the course of two semesters.

ELEC 423-DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING
MATLAB is the foundation of this course. It is used to demonstrate the theory and to design and implement a wide variety of digital filters as well as the student design project.

English

In the spring of 2002, the Citadel's English Department developed the TIDE program (Technology Initiative at the Department of English) devoted to continually training and updating faculty on the application of technology to the teaching of writing and literature. Directed by a faculty colleague with an extensive background in technology as well as a doctorate in English literature, TIDE offers

•   individual technology assessments designed to help faculty members discover the technologies best suited to their personal teaching styles and needs,

•   assistance in setting up WebCT course sites,

•   an informative website including a review of literature on humanities computing and links to humanities computing journals, and

•   regular faculty workshops for faculty. Topics have included

"WebCT Overview,"

"Posting and Receiving Assignments with WebCT,"

"Constructing and Editing Web Page with HTML,"

"Locating Resources for Web Projects,"

"Enhancing PowerPoint Presentations with Hyperlinks, Audio, and Video,"

"Using the Numonics Board to Teach Writing,"

"Using the Numonics Board to Teach Literature," and

"Generating and Editing Images."

As a result of the TIDE program, a number of English professors have thoroughly integrated available technology into their courses.

Health, Exercise, and Sports Science

PHED 319 Physiology of Exercise
            The "BioPac System" is used for labs involving 3-lead electrocardiograms, static and dynamic lung volumes (FEV1, FEV2, cycles, etc.), general plethysmography, reaction time/movement time, motor unit recruitment and fatigue. The "PAR Medics True Max 2400" is used for labs involving Resting Metabolic Rate, Maximal Oxygen Uptake The "Cardio Control Cardio Perfect MD" is used for labs involving 12-lead electrocardiography (resting, position change, and stress testing w/max oxygen uptake measured concurrently). The "Lode" is used for labs involving Anaerobic Power . . . typically using the "Wingate Test." All the above involve computer-based technology which greatly facilitates measurement, analysis of data, and assists in the decision-making process. In addition, we continue to provide several labs using software within the public domain such as statistical analyses using VassarStats or a similar program. We also use five methods of approximating body composition and correlate each with underwater weighing (the "gold standard"). In this and several other courses students use other software such as the Nutrition Analysis Tool.

PHED 203 Physical Activity for Individuals with Disabilities (formerly Special Physical Education)
            Labs include Body Composition Assessment using usually three non-invasive techniques in the study of obesity and obesity-related degenerative diseases and the BioPac (described above) for a study of electrocardiography as related to coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease.

Technology in HESS
          A new course to be introduced in the fall of 2003.

History

The Department of History uses no discipline specific software, but, as in other departments, several of its faculty are using new web and multimedia technology in highly creative ways to enhance student learning. For example, one professor writes, "In all my classes (HIST-103, HIST-104, HIST-475, HIST-481, HIST-593, and GEOG-209 and 511) students use WEBCT and related technology in preparing term papers or reviews of appropriate web sites. For example, as the first writing exercise in 103, students reviewed six websites devoted to the ancient olympics. Content, authorship, coherence, quality of sources, quality of presentation, etc., were criteria by which the evaluations were made . . . . Term papers are written in or converted to html and posted to a class web site for review by others. This involves rudimentary knowledge of html, plus an ability to search the web, download pictures and data, incorporate such into term papers, and present this data in a coherent manner to me and their colleagues. They also are required in some classes (HIST 203) to do an initial oral presentation of their research using PowerPoint."

Library

Daniel Library uses a comprehensive integrated library computer system to track and control all its holdings through purchasing, receiving, cataloging, circulation, etc. In the fall of 2002, the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education awarded the library a grant to update this integrated computer system and to begin digitizing The Citadel's special collections; the process of converting to the new technology has now begun. Additionally, Daniel Library uses current technology on varying levels, and in standard ways, to enhance students' learning experiences. For example, microfilm reader-printers are available to view periodical archives, dozens of electronic databases and indexes assist researchers in every department, and librarians use a digital overhead projector in a state-of-the-art multimedia classroom for bibliographic instruction.

Mathematics and Computer Science

A variety of technology tools is used in the teaching of mathematics and computer science students.

For mathematics core courses, in the case of non-science majors, the technology includes the use of Excel and TI-83 graphing calculators; the core courses for science students (MATH-119, 131, 132) use TI-89 calculators and in some cases MathCad. In upper level math courses, MathCad, MatLab, and Scientific Workplace are used in the analysis, modeling, and numerical methods courses. Excel is used for modeling in some courses, in statistics by some instructors, and, using an add-in, in applied operations research. JMP-IN is also used in statistics by one instructor. Geometer's SketchPad is used in geometry. All the programs are PC based although some run off the Novell network. Instructors can make use of display devices. Many instructors use the web to make notes and problem sets available and several instructors run servers from the PCs in their offices.

The computer science program makes extensive use of all three varieties of computers on campus, which presently includes PCs, Alphas, and a Sun/Solaris Ultra-10. Also the ELEC courses required for the major use prototyping boards with have built-in power supplies and clock generators, and the evaluation board: MC68HC11EVB. The prototyping board includes a variety of logic and output devices, a multimeter, and jumper wires and data sheets.

The curriculum introduces the student to several programming languages. They include: C++, JAVA, PROLOG, LISP, and IBM 32 and 16 bit assembler. Appropriate editors, debuggers and compilers are used with each. Other software introduced in the curriculum is more topic specific. Included in this list are Oracle (database, reports, and forms); Visio; sockets; operating system particulars for WINDOWS and UNIX; Pspice and XILINX's Foundation software; a Motorola 68HC11 Simulator named: THRSim11, version 4.00h and EXCEL with add-ons Premium Solver, Solver Table, and Palisade's Decision Tools Suite which includes @Risk, Precision Tree, BestFit, TopRank, and Riskview.

For research, students have available, through the Citadel network, several comprehensive scientific databases including: Compendex, ScienceDirect, MathSciNet, and Applied Science and Technology.

CSCI-101: Fundamentals of Computing
            OS command languages: Windows, Linux, and VMS; Editors: VMS-ed and Linux-vi; C++ compilers: Microsoft Visual C++ and GNU g++; and Microsoft Visio. Hardware: PCs Sun/Solaris Ultra-10 Alphas

CSCI-201: Introduction to Computer Science I
            Microsoft Visual C++ and GNU g++. Hardware: PCsSun/Solaris Ultra-10

CSCI-202: Introduction to Computer Science II
            Microsoft Visual C++ and GNU g++. Hardware: PCs Sun/Solaris Ultra-10

CSCI-223: Data Structures
            Microsoft Visual C++. Hardware: PCs

CSCI-305: Computer Organization and Programming
            32 bit IBM assembler software and 16 bit IBM assembler software with editor and debugger add-ons. Hardware: PCs

CSCI-317: Computer Networks and Internets
            Sockets. Hardware: PCs Sun/Solaris Ultra-10

CSCI-320: Database Design and File Structures
            Oracle 9i database, Oracle Reports, and Oracle Forms. Hardware: PCs Sun/Solaris Ultra-10

CSC-355: Programming Languages
            LISP, and PROLOG. Hardware: PCs

CSCI-375: Java
            Oracle 9i database, Tomcat, JDK, and JDBC. Hardware: PCs Sun/Solaris Ultra-10

CSCI-386: Applied Operations Research
            EXCEL with add-ons Premium Solver, Solver Table, and Palisade's Decision Tools Suite which includes @Risk, Precision Tree, BestFit, TopRank, and Riskview. Hardware: PCs

CSCI-405: Operating Systems and Computer Architecture
            Windows, UNIX, and Solaris. Hardware: PCs, Sun/Solaris Ultra-10

CSCI-420: Software Engineering
            Microsoft Visio. Hardware: PCs

ELEC-311: Digital Logic and Circuits
            Pspice and XILINX's Foundation Software. Hardware: Prototyping board with built-in power supplies and clock generators. The kit includes a variety of logic and output devices, a multimeter, jumper wires and data sheets.

ELEC-330: Digital Systems Engineering
            A Motorola 68HC11 Simulator named: THRSim11, version 4.00h. Hardware: MC68HC11EVB (Evaluation Board)

Modern Languages

During the Fall Term of 2001, after years of planning, the Department of Modern Languages opened a state-of-the-art Resource Center with 24 computer stations—the exact number of students enrolled in our core sections. The BLUEGLAS software package allows instructors to create their own interactive exercises for every lesson.

The MLRC serves as the ulitimate multimedia classroom during the day and as a student lab in the evenings. Students can also access the MLRC from remote stations on campus. Working from the control podium, instructors access and project onto individual student screens as well as the classroom screen material from the worldwide web: televised news reports, daily newspapers, maps, etc. Audio of radio news, talkshows, and concerts is heard through station headsets or over the classroom speaker system. Students submit assignments online, which instructors then correct and return online.

Each of our traditional classrooms is equipped with a fixed TV/VCR/DVD unit with remote, which instructors use to screen topical programming recorded off C-band satellite.

Physics

In introductory lab courses, the Department of Physics routinely uses computers connected to experimental apparatus. This allows students to do very sophisticated data analysis painlessly and instantly and ensures that the student concentrates on the experiment and the principle involved rather than on the data and data analysis.

In some senior research projects in astronomy, as well as in other (astronomy) research projects in which students participate, unique computer programs are used in the following ways:

Computers blink three images of the same part of the sky taken several minutes apart to look for moving objects, especially asteroids.
Graphics programs measure accurately high dispersion stellar spectrograms, and
Computer programs help determine periods from stellar photometric data.

PHYS 308/358 Optics
In the study of spectroscopy, we use a Jobin Yvon -SPEX 1000M Spectrometer, and n the study of nonlinear optics we use an Opplette 355 Optical Parametric Oscillotor.

PHYS 307/357 Electronics
In the study of analog circuits we use an E&L Instruments, Inc., OA-3 Op-Amp Designer.

For the following reasons, several professors now present classroom demonstrations through the medium of DVD rather than through live experiments:

it is easier to see what is happening in the video than to see what the professor is doing in the front of the room,
a demonstration on video always works, and
many demonstrations on video are simply too expensive or too complicated for the classroom.

Psychology

Faculty in the Psychology Department tend to rely rather heavily on the standard technology (e.g., PowerPoint), but we also tend to use that technology in the typical ways. To this I would add, however, that Dr. Virginia DeRoma uses a multi-media video transfer system in her research.

Our school psychology faculty use computer-assisted scoring with many of the test protocols used in both instruction and research connected to that graduate program. Also, Dr. Mike Politano uses SPSSx for data analysis with students in PSYC 523 and PSYC 599.