Progress 08/01/03 to 07/31/05
Outputs
The impacted courses in the project were first year Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics. In order to improve the quality of math and science education we focused on the empowerment of professors and the engagement of the students through the use of technology for learning math and science concepts. Significant results and accomplishments in these courses include the development of PowerPoint Modules, some of them can be accessed at www.pucpr.edu/usda (Biology and Chemistry), use of SmartBoard (Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics), use of interactive CD modules (Biology), Web sites for searching information (Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics), design and use of Webquest for some topics (Biology and Chemistry), environmental science movie films (Biology), use of Excel program for graphing (Biology), Graphing Calculator (Chemistry and Mathematics), student-professor email communication (Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics), use of MeasureNet equipment (Chemistry),
environmental science laboratory activities (Biology and Chemistry), use of Internet for special projects (Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics). Through Educo International Inc. platform (www.educo-int.com), the math courses made use of Electronic Lecture Notes (ELN) for teachers, online tutoring for students, online quizzes/tests/homework, practice testing with instant feedback, student record management and reports and teacher-student interaction. Teaching strategies and computer-multimedia applications used by project faculty are actively being used in classroom presentations by 80% or more of faculty members not only in the basic courses but in higher level ones. These applications are greatly achieved due to the support of 10 computers, 11 projectors and 11 Smartboard provided by our project. Some of the teaching strategies are Electronically Enhanced Classrooms, SmartBoard, Projection Systems, Modules and Electronic Lecture Notes, Electronic Grading, Record Keeping, Electronic
Quizzes, Email, Scientific Equipment, Graphing Software, Animation/Movie Editing Software, Presentation Tools, Graphing Calculator, Internet, and WebQuest. Students participating in the project have demonstrated an improvement in their attitudes toward math and science courses as evidenced by the answers to the Attitude Questionnaire. The students answers to the Degree of Satisfaction Questionnaire demonstrate that most students are Satisfied and Strongly Satisfied with their participation in the target courses. The reduction of the attrition rate in target courses was not as high as expected, but we have the conviction that the teaching strategies, activities and modules developed, and technology incorporated in the target courses will help students to have success in higher level science courses. We also have the conviction that the number of students interested to continue graduates studies toward PCUPR new Environmental Science Master degree will increase.
PRODUCTS: The departments of Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology have faculty members trained in using technology as a teaching tool. Some comprehensive field-tested materials are available as an assessment system. Some professors are using a structured instructional approach for math courses. The College of Science has nine Electronic Enhanced Classrooms to serve lower level Math/Science courses.
OUTCOMES: One hundred percent (100%) of the project participating faculty utilizes the computer and multimedia applications in class. They are actively using computer-based technology applications in their classroom presentations. Also about 80% of the non participating faculty utilize these applications. The standardized instruction and evaluation strategies are already being incorporated in some basic Biology, Chemistry and Math courses. An improvement of the students attitudes toward math and science courses is evident. A high students satisfaction index with their participation in the target courses is also evident.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: The dissemination activities of the project developed were: USDA Project Directors Meeting held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Project Web Page (www.pucpr.edu/usda), Professional Development Meeting for the College of Science faculty members of PCUPR Ponce, Arecibo and Mayaguez Campus and science and math teachers from the secondary level of the public and private education system. This activity was presented by the PCUPR faculty participating in the project and a workshop session was designed for the participants to practice the use of the SmartBoard.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: Regarding our Ponce main campus, we want to incorporate the outcomes of the project to higher level courses and also to Environmental Sciences undergraduate and graduate courses. Regarding our two other campus in Arecibo and Mayaguez we expect to share the educational technology based strategies for the teaching-learning process through our recently started video conference project.
Impacts
The infrastructure acquired in this project has placed our College of Science at an educational level where the teaching-learning process for math and science concepts and skills is taking place within a high tech environment and at the same level of other prestigious higher education institutions in Puerto Rico. The technology skills developed by the faculty are evidenced by their use in daily teaching-learning process for developing students skills and conceptual understanding. The faculty professional development is also evidenced by their design of new activities. A significant number of science faculty members are involved in the design of online courses and the development of modules. Also a significant number is well motivated to design their Web page and others are making modifications to their page. The use of the professors Web page is beneficial to the student as they get computer skills, and it is beneficial to the professors as they get computer based
technology and its application in the classroom. Students are being trained in technological alternatives for learning math and science for short and long terms
Publications
- Power Point modules for Biology (some of them were printed as handouts) and Chemistry Courses. Webquest activities for Biology and Chemistry courses. In Mathematics, Guide for the use and applications of Graphing Calculator and two assignments integrating health and nutrition. The last published in www.pucpr.edu/facultad/ajunco. 2004-2005
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