George M. Murphy

gmurphy@mtsu.edu

George M. Murphy

Biology

Master Classroom

WPS 300, 301, 307, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, and PH 103A

New Technology

N/A

This proposal seeks funding for three portable computer/projector carts for use in Wiser-Patten Science Building (WPS) and installation of master classroom equipment in Peck Hall 103A (PH103A). Computer-based animations, web activities, interactive models and interactive virtual laboratory exercises are learning tools unavailable to students in traditional classrooms. Seventy percent of the Biology Faculty do use, or wish to use, these tools when equipment is available in their classroom. Annually, thirteen biology courses*, reaching a total of 4990 students (calculated as undergraduate and graduate enrollment for Spring 2001, Summer 2001, and Fall 2001 semesters), meet in WPS and/or PH 103A. More than fifty percent of these students are non-biology majors completing four hours of the General Education Science Requirement. One hundred percent of these students (4990) attend lecture and/or lab in WPS and twenty-seven percent (1344) attend lecture in PH 103A. Both lecture and lab for all honors introductory biology courses and “Life Science for Elementary Teachers” are conducted in WPS. Our Department has requested TAF funds for the purchase of portable master classroom systems with four previous proposals without success. This is the first request for installed equipment in PH 103A. The Departments of Educational Leadership and Psychology support the upgrade of PH 103A. The Departments of English, Journalism, and Sociology also would benefit from the improvement of PH 103A. *http://www.mtsu.edu/~nwelch/taf.html