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TEACHING IN THE LABORATORY

An investigative laboratory course in human physiology using computer technology and collaborative writing

Department of Biology and Allied Health, Merrimack College, North Andover, Massachusetts 01845

Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: K. A. FitzPatrick, Dept. of Biology and Allied Health, Box N8, Merrimack College, 315 Turnpike St., N. Andover, MA 01845 (Kathleen.FitzPatrick{at}Merrimack.edu)

FitzPatrick, Kathleen A. An investigative laboratory course in human physiology using computer technology and collaborative writing. Active investigative student-directed experiences in laboratory science are being encouraged by national science organizations. A growing body of evidence from classroom assessment supports their effectiveness. This study describes four years of implementation and assessment of an investigative laboratory course in human physiology for 65 second-year students in sports medicine and biology at a small private comprehensive college. The course builds on skills and abilities first introduced in an introductory investigations course and introduces additional higher-level skills and more complex human experimental models. In four multiweek experimental modules, involving neuromuscular, reflex, and cardiovascular physiology, by use of computerized hardware/software with a variety of transducers, students carry out self-designed experiments with human subjects and perform data collection and analysis, collaborative writing, and peer editing. In assessments, including standard course evaluations and the Salgains Web-based evaluation, student responses to this approach are enthusiastic, and gains in their skills and abilities are evident in their comments and in improved performance.

Key words: investigative physiology laboratories; scientific writing; peer review; computerized data collection