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Abstract
In this case study
five components of the IN-VSEE project will be described:
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2. Background |
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![]() Figure 1. Graph showing device miniaturization from 1960's to 2000. The ability to produce smaller and smaller devices has merged with the developing nanoscience, becoming the nanotechnology revolution. |
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2.2 The IN-VSEE
Project Goals
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![]() 2.3 The Tool The Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM) has evolved rapidly into a relatively simple, yet powerful technique capable of imaging and manipulating materials at resolutions down to the atomic scale providing our "window into the Nanoworld". See Figure 2. Remote control of the SPM will provide students a valuable opportunity for hands-on experimentation (Committee on Science, p.59) and lead to student designed experiments. |
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![]() Figure 2. The Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM) located in the IN-VSEE laboratory. This research-grade microscope has the capability to image some materials at resolutions down to the atomic scale. This SPM can be remotely operated from any online classroom in the world. |
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2.4 The Technology To date, IN-VSEE has succeeded in developing a WWW user-friendly interface for remote control of a SPM located on the Arizona State University Main campus. Additionally, eight instructional modules are in the review phase of production and nine other modules are under development. As part of the review process, IN-VSEE held four teacher workshops. This included a two-day workshop in August 1999, which provided both formative evaluations of the key "Size and Scale" module and other modules, as well as preparation for participating teachers to incorporate the remote SPM in their classroom. Accompanying the modules is the IN-VSEE Image Gallery with micrographs and nanographs created using various microscopies, as well as macroscopic images of relevant materials. |
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3. Advanced Telecommunication
Development for Remote SPM Operation Via WWW |
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3.2 Remote Architecture The microscope functions locally at ASU with TopoMetrix software displayed on a PC in a Windows environment. The data collected through this computer is sent to a Silicon Graphics workstation (SGI O2 Irix 6.2), which is the server for the SPM data. By means of push technology, the data collected is continuously updated to the remote operator and observer pages. |
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3.3 Operator
Page |
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![]() In Figure 3, the purple-colored square on the left shows a compact disk sample being imaged at a 5072 nanometers (nm) scan size. This means the image shown is only 5072 nm, or 5.072 micrometers (µm), across. The square on the right represents the area of the sample being scanned. The operator can use this tool to select the size and area of the sample for the SPM to scan by defining a rectangle anywhere within the square and clicking the submit button. The sample is then rescanned using the new parameters and the display is updated. The remote user can also control other instrument parameters, such as the view mode and scan rate. See the demonstration of SPM Live! in operation. When completed, there will be various levels of controls available to users as they demonstrate an increase in their expertise. Also, a simulation of the SPM operation is under development to train new users. |
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3.4 Observer
Page The navigation panel at the bottom of the Observer page accesses the Image Gallery. Images can be selected and measured. Also accessible are the modules, a site map, feedback, help and the log-in for the Operator page. The Help screen explains the features available from the Observer page. See Figure 4. |
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4. Hardware and
Software Requirements |
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4.2 Software
Requirements |
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5. Instructional
Modules Each module explores key fundamental and applied concepts of natural and man-made materials. The diverse materials explored cross many disciplines of traditional study, including physics, engineering, chemistry and biology. Each module demonstrates how a material's atomic structure, properties, processing and performance are related at the nano-level and how that relationship results in the properties and performance at the macro-level. The module topics selected utilize interactive, discovery-based learning activities to introduce or reinforce applied material concepts within various disciplines and among various material classes over a wide range in scale. The 'visualization pipeline' provides examples of man-made vs. natural materials from the macroscopic to the nanometer scale. One specific aim of the educational modules is to provide a bridge between the 'virtual classroom' and laboratory. Each module has the ultimate goal of drawing the student into the use of the Scanning Probe Microscope as a data collection tool and providing an understanding of appropriate use of this tool. Thus the modules provide a roadmap for students on how to design and conduct experiments. The interactive IN-VSEE modules provide
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5.2 Design In Freshman Biology classes at Scottsdale Community College, the "What Is That in Your Dog's Dish?" module on biofilms has been used outside the classroom to prepare students prior to in-class use of remote SPM. In Freshman Biology classes at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, "The Five Kingdoms of Biology" (Yeast) and the "Osmotic Pressure in Red Blood Cells and Plant Cells" have been used within the class laboratory period, providing hands-on activities using image analysis both during and after the SPM Live! session. |
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5.3 Structure
Animations are used to pique the interest of students in the module topic. An introductory animation plays using the RealPlayer video plug-in as the attention grabber for some of the modules. See the example animations from the modules "The World of Carbon" and "Biostructures." There are eight modules now being reviewed and beta-tested in remote classroom demonstrations at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Scottsdale Community College and Glendale Community College in Arizona. |
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![]() Other modules being reviewed include Making Sense of Size and Scale, Theory and Virtual Operation of SPM, The Allotropes of Carbon, The Music of Spheres, Why Does a Light Bulb Burn Out?, Visualizing Properties: Friction, What Is That in Your Dog's Dish?, and Modern Information Storage Media. Modules under development are Engineered Materials, The World of Liquid Crystals Biominerals: It's a Hard Life, The Morphology and Use of Gold Films, Osmotic Pressure in Red Blood Cells and Plant Cells, The Miracle Molecule: DNA, Biological Structural Materials, and Iridescence. |
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6. Image Gallery
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7. Project Evaluation |
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7.2 Early Evaluation |
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7.3 Teachers'
Workshop The first teachers’ workshop, in October 1997, focused on the use of image processing in the classroom. Image processing provides a dynamic, hands-on way to incorporate microscopy images in the classroom (Greenberg et al). It also provides links to real world applications of microscopy. In this workshop teachers also provided feedback about the "Allotropes of Carbon" module. Despite an interest in using the modules, expressed by both workshop participants and other college instructors at professional meetings, use of the modules in the classroom was limited. As a result of this lack of adoption, the second teachers' workshop, in July 1998, focused on ways to overcome barriers to using remote SPM, instructional modules and microscopy images in the classroom. Teachers indicated that one of the major challenges to incorporating the use of this technology in the curriculum is the amount of time required for teachers to learn about this technology. Teachers participating in the workshop requested more hands-on use of the instructional modules. The third teachers' workshop, in August 1999, was increased to a two-day workshop to provide greater opportunities for hands-on activities and beta testing of instructional modules. The focus was on the "Making Sense of Size And Scale" and the "The Music of the Spheres" modules. In addition to beta testing these modules the workshop established partnerships with high school and community college science teachers who plan to integrate the project’s technology into their instruction in the 1999-2000 school year. After a daylong introduction to the technology, their intentions to integrate it into their instruction were quite high. In order to assist their use of the technology this coming school year we are investigating the beliefs they have about this integration, which determine their intentions. We also hope to gain valuable knowledge for increasing adoption of the technology nationwide, after the project’s conclusion. |
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7.4 Teachers'
Feedback |
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7.5 Continued
Field Testing |
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8. Conclusions
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9. References Burgess, Gerald W., & Mannan, Golam (1997). University Teaching And Learning In A Technological Environment: A Constructivist Approach. International Conference on University Teaching and Learning for Tomorrow's World: the Asia-Pacific Experiences, August 27 - 30, 1997, Malang, Indonesia. http://gwburgess.home.mindspring.com/Articles/techlearn.html accessed september 9, 1999. Burnett, Gary (February
1994). Technology as a Tool for Urban Classrooms, U.S. Department of Education,
ERIC Clearinghouse on Urban Education, Digest Number 95. Committee on Science,
U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifth Congress (September 1998).
Unlocking Our Future: Toward a New National Science Policy, Committee
Print 105-B. http://www.access.gpo.gov/congress/house/science/cp105-b/science105b.pdf Greenberg, R., Kolvoord,
R.A., Magisos, M., Strom, R.G., & Croft, S. (1993). Image processing
for teaching. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 1 (3),
469-480. Kelly, Suzanne, Ong, Ed, & Pizziconi, Vincent (Fall 1999, in press), Seeing is Believing - Impact of New SPM Microscopies on Microbiology Education. Focus. Nanotechnology (1999).
American Institute of Physics Nanotechnology Database
(1999). Sponsored by the National Science Foundation
Nicaise, Molly, & Crane, Michael, (1999). Knowledge Constructing Through HyperMedia Authoring. Educational Technology Research and Development. Vol. 47, no. 1, 29-50. Ong, Ed , Pizziconi, Vincent, & Ramakrishna, B.L. (1999). Interactive Nano-Visualization for Science and Engineering Education. Journal of Materials Education. Vol. 21, no. 1-2. Parker, D. Randall, (1997). Increasing Faculty Use of Technology in Teaching and Teacher Education. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education. Vol. 5, no. 2-3, 105-115. Provenzo, Eugene F. Jr., Brett, Arlene, and McCloskey, Gary N. (1999). Computers, Curriculum, and Cultural Change. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Mahwah, NJ, London. Spool, Jared M., Scanlon, Tara, Schroeder, Will, Snyder, Carolyn and DeAngelo, Terri (1999). Web Site Usability: A Designer's Guide. Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, Inc., San Francisco. Sun, Junyi & Razdan,
Anshuman, (1999), Remote Control and Visualization of Scanning Probe Microscope
via Web. Multimedia Tools and Applications (in press). |
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![]() ![]() 10. Acknowledgements IN-VSEE is a project funded by the Applications of Advanced Technologies (AAT) program of the National Science Foundation (NSF/REC- 9632740) This program is a research and development program that seeks to support the development of new, innovative applications of advanced technologies in mathematics, science, technology, and engineering education. IN-VSEE Project participants at Arizona State University: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS), College of Education (COE), Partnership for Research in Stereo Modeling (PRISM). IN-VSEE’s Community Partners: Chandler High School District, Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Scottsdale Community College, Arizona Science Center, Motorola, TopoMetrix Inc. |
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