University of Wisconsin - Stout

How to effectively incorporate laptop computers into laboratory courses to increase student learning and accomplish course objectives.

Brian Bergquist, Ph.D.

2005-06

Project Summary

The objective of the study was to enhance the scholarship of teaching and learning in a laboratory setting. The significance of the study was to improve learning in a laboratory setting utilizing laptop computers. The study involved surveying students enrolled ( Fall 2005 and Spring 2006) in a laboratory course to determine best practices and techniques for improving teaching and learning practices. The study also survey current laboratory instructors to determine faculty (those currently teaching in a lab setting) best practices in utilizing laptop computers in a laboratory setting (different disciplines were involved). The results were thematically analyzed to determine improvements in teaching and learning as well as best practices.

Course Context

The study was relevant to University of Wisconsin-Stout with its designation as a laptop campus. All incoming students are issued a laptop computer and UW-Stout’s has allocated a large amount of resources and investment in technology and course management software. The study was relevant to me due to the fact that I am currently teaching laboratory courses. The study might be able to assist not only laboratory faculty but any that utilize the laptop computer as a teaching and learning tool.

Key Learning Activity

To the researcher the key learning activity was to have the students reflect on how they utilize the laptop computers. Additionally the students reflected and recommended techniques to improve teaching and learning utilizing the laptop computers in a laboratory setting. A secondary learning activity was to have faculty reflect on best practices of laptop usages for the improvement of teaching and learning.

Key Findings

There were several key findings regarding the study and these are summarized by question from the research.

Question 1: What techniques can be utilized to incorporate the laptop computer into a laboratory courses such as Quantity Food Production and Catering?

Summarized Responses:

Question 2: What were the advantages/benefits of using laptop computer in the laboratory?

Summarized Responses:

Question 3: What were the disadvantages of using the laptop in a lab setting?

Summarized Responses:

Question 4: In what other classes do you frequently utilize the laptop computer?

Summarized Responses:

Question 5: In what other lab classes do you utilize the laptop computer?

Summarized Responses:

Question 6: What techniques are utilized by other laboratory classes to implement/use the laptop computer?

Summarized Responses:

Question 7: How did you utilize the laptop this semester in the laboratory?

Summarized Responses:

Question 8: What suggestions do you offer for future use of the laptops in laboratory settings?

Summarized Responses:

Question 9: What methods would you suggest for greater use of the laptop next semester?

Summarized Responses:

Question 10: How could future students use the laptops in a laboratory setting?

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Question 11: List other ways in which you utilize the laptop computer.

Summarized Responses:

Student Learning

Students reflected upon laptop usage and future use of the laptops at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Sought to enhance and better utilize the laptop computers for their educational needs.

Faculty Survey:

Additional data was collected from laboratory faculty regarding their use of the laptop computer. The questionnaire asked questions regarding laptop utilization, advantages/disadvantages, and effective usage of laptops.

Summarized Responses:

I was some what disappointed by the faculty responses, though it was my fault to have waited to near the end of the semester to administer the survey to faculty. In conducting future research with faculty I will do it differently. I am satisfied with those that responded and provided valuable information in the context of teaching and learning and the enhancement of student learning.

Reflection Paper for SOTL Project

The study had an emphasis on reflection as a method to determine improvements to teaching and learning with laptop computers. Student reflected on how they currently utilize the laptops in a lab setting, advantages and disadvantages of using the laptops in class as well as suggestion for improvements and future usage of the laptop computers in laboratory setting.

In conducting the research study my questionnaire was designed to ask similar question but in different ways. The students saw through this technique and thus were reluctant to answer the same question (more than once) even though it was phrased differently. In the future, I was be direct and just ask simple straight forward questions and not try fancy techniques to ensure the responses were the same.

In my practice, I will apply the information provided by the research study to improve teaching and learning. Based upon the data, I will incorporate more excel and word documents and eliminate pdf’s. I will also put more assignment and due date on the web (course management software such as D2L). I will place additional assignments and assessments/evaluation on the web. In addition I will develop coursecasts (podcast) that are like virtual labs to enhance teaching and learning.

I am very satisfied with the focus on student learning and teaching. I am continuously searching for ways to improve my teaching and enhance the experience for the students. Students enjoyed the opportunity to share their experiences and knowledge with the understanding it was going to be used to enhance teaching and learning for other students.