The main objective of the ComLab project was to integrate different ICT tools in science and technology teaching. Two aspects were emphasised:
- ‘Real laboratory’ exercises, based on a computer data acquisition and control system, recognising that importance of practical experimentation and laboratory work has not decreased in the era of ICT.
- ‘Virtual laboratory’ activities, based on computer simulations of various science phenomena and complicated, expensive and/or inaccessible devices.
Both aspects were integrated through example courses based on interactive html documents. In the courses, computer supported practical experimentation was enhanced with computer simulations and other multimedia components (video clips, animations, graphics, etc). The development of the course material was informed by modern ideas on the didactics and methodology of computer supported learning in science and technology education.
The courses involved the integration of physics, biology, chemistry and associated technology disciplines such as electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, agriculture, foods science, etc. All courses emphasise the practical approach often described by expressions such as ‘by example’, ‘hands-on’, ‘through experiments’, ‘low cost’, ‘do it yourself’, ‘by exploration’, etc. The courses are available on this ComLab website and can be also installed off-line.
The course material and software is designed in such manner to enable simple translation to other languages.
A range of hardware, including state-of-the-art data acquisition systems and associated software, were designed and developed specifically for the project together with a variety of novel simulation software.
The primary target groups were in-service and trainee teachers/lecturers of science and technology subjects for pupils/students of twelve years and over as well as teachers involved in adult education. Besides secondary education, the project also extended activities to post-secondary vocational colleges and higher professional schools. Moreover, the project also aimed to bring science and technology topics to people interested in autonomous learning based on ICT for different age groups. |
