Computer-Assisted Laboratory
Instruction Program

Department of Biological Sciences
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona


Dr. Glibert D. Brum
and
Dr. Ronald D. Quinn

Programming and Design

Douglas Steinwand, Howard Tan,
Tim Shoemaker and John Denson 		Additional development by

Dr. David Campbell
Dr. Chris George

Development Support
President Suzuki's Award for Improving Teaching and Learning
Department of Biological Sciences
The New Media Center, Cal Poly Pomona
Some concepts from Logal Software Inc., East Arlington, MA



CALI Program Overview

As a part of the Excellence in Biology Teaching and Learning Program, a highly-skilled team of faculty, teaching associates, and instructional support technicians in the Biological Sciences Department have joined in a collaborative effort to develop a series of instructional modules for introductory laboratories in Biology. In support of this effort, the Department has purchased a variety of state-of-the-art hardware and software support programs. In addition, the Department established the Biolgy Multimedia Development Laboratory. Each year, more than 1000 introductory biology students have accessed the CALI multimedia instructional modules in the Science Multimedia Learning Laboratory, a 25-station Macintosh lab located in the CLA building (Building 98C, Fifth Floor, Room C5-8) on the Cal Poly Campus.


CALI Module Design Format

CALI modules integrate existing CD-ROMs, videodiscs, slides, and interactive software into packages written by the Biology CALI team and designed for Cal Poly Biology courses. Modules currently under development include: CALI modules allow students to go beyond the normal physical limitations of time and space. The digital realm of experimentation creates a virtual laboratory, where experiments are designed, executed, analyzed, and explained on the comptuer screen, challenging students to apply knowledge in important and new ways. These modules do not attempt to replace the existing "wet labs" commonly found in introductory classes. Instead, they have been designed to enhance and complement the existing biology curriculum.


Assessment

An important part of the CALI modules is their built-in assessment capabilities. As students move through a module, they must correctly answer questions that pop up. These answers are recorded, and this allows instructors to get an accurate picture of what specific material a student is able to apply when answering questions. The questions challenge students' knowledge of subject matter.


CALI Team Contacts

Faculty & Staff

Student Support Technicians



Last Updated: August 5, 1997