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Interactive Biology Cloud Lab Enables Authentic Inquiry-Based Science Learning at MOOC Scale

View ORCID ProfileZahid Hossain, Engin Bumbacher, Alison Brauneis, Monica Diaz, Andy Saltarelli, View ORCID ProfilePaulo Blikstein, View ORCID ProfileIngmar Riedel-Kruse
doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/136317
Zahid Hossain
1Bioengineering
2Computer Science
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Engin Bumbacher
3School of Education
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Alison Brauneis
4Digital Learning Strategy
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Monica Diaz
5Engineering and Production
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Andy Saltarelli
6VPTL Teaching Practice Stanford University
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Paulo Blikstein
3School of Education
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Ingmar Riedel-Kruse
1Bioengineering
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  • ORCID record for Ingmar Riedel-Kruse
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Abstract

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and other national frameworks are calling for much more sophisticated approaches to STEM education, centered around the integration of complex experimentation (including real labs, not just simulations), data collection and analysis, modeling, and data-driven argumentation, i.e., students can behave like real scientists. How to implement such complex approaches in scalable ways is an unsolved challenge - both for presential and distance education. Here we report on the iterative design and large-scale deployment of an open online course with a “biology cloud experimentation lab” (using living cells) that engaged remote learners (> 300 students) in the scientific practices of experimentation, modeling and data analysis to investigate the phototaxis of a microorganism. We demonstrate (1) the robustness and scalability of the cloud lab technology (> 2, 300 experiments run), (2) the design principles and synergistic integration of multiple UI and learning activities and suitable data formats to facilitate NGSS-aligned science activities, and (3) design features that leverages the natural variability of real biology experiments to instigate authentic inquiry. This platform and course content are now suited for large-scale adaptation in formal K-16 education; and we provide recommendations for inquiry-based science learning in general.

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The copyright holder for this preprint is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under a CC-BY-NC 4.0 International license.
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Posted May 11, 2017.
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Interactive Biology Cloud Lab Enables Authentic Inquiry-Based Science Learning at MOOC Scale
Zahid Hossain, Engin Bumbacher, Alison Brauneis, Monica Diaz, Andy Saltarelli, Paulo Blikstein, Ingmar Riedel-Kruse
bioRxiv 136317; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/136317
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Interactive Biology Cloud Lab Enables Authentic Inquiry-Based Science Learning at MOOC Scale
Zahid Hossain, Engin Bumbacher, Alison Brauneis, Monica Diaz, Andy Saltarelli, Paulo Blikstein, Ingmar Riedel-Kruse
bioRxiv 136317; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/136317

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