Proposal

This proposal is being submitted on behalf of the introductory biology courses in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. 

Each fall, 792 undergraduate students enroll in Biodiversity, and each spring, 792 undergraduate students enroll in Biological Principles.  These classes are also offered during summer (346 students each time).  Students enrolled in Biodiversity and Biological Principles take a lecture component, a laboratory component, and a discussion class, (“Lifeline”) designed to supplement the lecture and reinforce concepts students learn in class, or introduce concepts to familiarize students with content material prior to lecture.

The discussion class takes place in SC-143, and enrollment is capped at 24 students to ensure personalized attention and foster one-on-relationships.  Discussion classes are taught by highly qualified undergraduate TAs, (“Lifeline Leaders”) all of whom have taken the biology courses and succeeded.  Lifeline is an integral part of the introductory biology course experience, and based on positive feedback received both orally and via SPOT Evaluations, students thoroughly enjoy the activities that the Lifeline Leaders create each week for all Bioprinciples students.

The equipment in SC-143 currently consists of one 70" Windows 7 touchscreen computer, which was funded by a Technology Fee Grant awarded during the 2013-2014 year proposal process.  This equipment has had a tremendously positive impact on student learning, student retention, and on teaching assistants' ability to create multimedia-rich content tailored to meet a wide variety of learning styles (auditory learners, visual learners, tactile learners, etc.)  Teaching assistants now have, at their disposal, the latest state-of-the-art technology, resources that were never available to them previously.  Access to this technology enables the TA's to create content that enhances student learning and long-term retention of course content taught in lecture.  Teaching assistants in the biology department commented on the amazing capabilities of the touchscreen that was funded by a previous Tech Fee grant.

For the current 2014-2015 Tech Fee proposal, I am requesting that three tablets be installed in SC-143 to supplement the touchscreen computer.  These tablets will be utilized by 17 teaching assistants and 1,930 undergraduate students annually.

With these tablets, Lifeline Leaders will be able to create increasingly interactive multimedia content for biology students.  Undergraduate teaching assistants will be able to hone their presentation skills, along with their ability to generate interactive multimedia presentations for an audience of 24.  Lifeline activities typically consist of a presentation that introduces and/or reinforces key concepts, followed by an activity that allows students to actively engage with the material they have learned.  Students will benefit from this project by having a more engaging learning platform to work with each week over the course of their semester, and having instantaneous access to the Internet in the classroom.

For example, during some weeks, Lifeline Leaders have created Jeopardy games, and Who Wants to Be A Millionaire!, featuring science-related content pertaining to the topic being covered that particular week (varying from meiosis to cellular respiration, photosynthesis, phyla, animal kingdoms, etc.)  With the Jeopardy games, students are divided into 3 teams, and one person from each team will come up to the front of the classroom to answer a question on behalf of their team.  Currently, students write their answers on a small, portable dry-erase whiteboard, which they then hold up for everyone to see.  The tablets would greatly enhance the "wow" factor that students experience, and would be used in lieu of the dry-erase boards.  With these tablets, students would be able to write their answers on the tablets, which would then be projected on the 70" touchscreen for all to see.  This adds to the excitement factor that is inherent in the Jeopardy game.  In addition, the tablets would give students instantaneous access to the Internet while they're in the classroom, so they would be able to, for example, research the answer before marking it down.

This type of educational format is both entertaining and educational, and captures the attention of the Millennial Generation, a generation known for its insatiable demand for instant gratification and the "coolness" factor.  We believe the “wow” factor of these games can be enhanced greatly with the addition of three tablets.  Other games, like Wheel of Fortune, will be made more interactive as well.  With the addition of these tablets, students will be able to go up to the screen and actively engage with the presentation, and their peers.  They can interact with classroom educational games created by the Lifeline Leaders in the Biology Department.  The tablets also creates a limitless platform for future content creators to work with, and opens up huge potential for new innovation in the realm of science education.  It is, in essence, a critical extension of the touchscreen computer that was implemented from last year's grant.  I firmly believe that the addition of three tablets will allow students to further engage with the material.    The following reasons are provided as support for this proposal:

• All incoming freshmen as of the 2014-2015 academic year will be part of the Millennial Generation (born after 1996), and do not recall life without the Internet. These students are part of the most connected generation ever. 
• The novelty factor of PowerPoint is fading.  When first introduced, PowerPoint was a transformative way to present information to students, and has essentially superseded the chalkboard or markerboard in many classes.  However, this no longer holds true, and PowerPoints no longer capture their attention as well as something that they can personally interact with.
• Touchscreen tablets are ubiquitous nowadays, (in malls, grocery store self-checkout kiosks, airports, football stadiums, bars, dormitories, retail shops, and almost all venues that students frequent).  But surprisingly, they are not found in most classrooms.  What kind of message does this send to students about what our priorities are as a society?  We must invest in equipment that shows that the university places importance on science education.
• The “cool factor” for science needs to be there.  We must counteract against apathy in the sciences, and combat the perception that science is “uncool.”  This is of critical importance to maintain national competitiveness in an increasingly globalizing world.  Science has allowed us as a society, to have the world's highest standard of living, and the world's highest quality of life.  We must continue to stay ahead of the game, and maintain our competitive edge in attracting and educating the world's best and brightest.  This will allow us to maintain the highest standard of living, and quality-of-life.  This will also allow us to push the edge of innovation, and to create a new generation of movers, shakers, and captains of industry in the sciences.

This proposal, if granted approval, will affect 1,930 students annually, and will further improve the learning experience for all students who take the introductory-level biology classes at FAU.   I implore the university to explore this option and consider this proposal based on its merits.

Thank you for your time.

Yandi Lu

Three touchscreen tablets (estimated at $700 each, including taxes).  All tablets will be compatible with Windows 7-based machines, in compliance with OIT Standards, as the university is migrating towards Windows 7 for all computers found on campus. 

Three wireless receivers/transmitters to facilitate wireless communication between the tablet and the touchscreen computer (estimated at $300 each, including taxes).  All receivers ordered will be compatible with Windows 7-based machines, in compliance with OIT Standards, as the university is migrating towards Windows 7 for all computers found on campus.

Three deadbolt locks and tablet anti-theft cabling system (estimated at $200 each, including taxes).  The three tablets will be connected by a resilient steel cable that is bolted to the lab benches, in order to deter theft and prevent unauthorized use/access. 

Total: $3,600

Microsoft OneNote (estimated at $300 per license, including taxes). All software ordered will be compatible with Windows 7-based machines, in compliance with OIT Standards, as the university is migrating towards Windows 7 for all computers found on campus. Total: $900 for software

Timeline:

Proposed start date: implementation to begin May 2014

Proposed end date: estimated to be complete by July 2014.

The tablets will be ready for use in August 2014 when Fall term begins, and available to 1,930 students and 17 teaching assistants.