A multidisciplinary application of handheld computers to enhance

student learningSupported by UNCW, Pearson

Education, and HyperCube

The problem of how to engage students in a large classroom setting has been a challenge to educators for many years. Project Numina was originally developed at UNCW to address this problem by using handheld computers and allowing students to respond to instructor questions anonymously.

A web-based student response system has been developed at UNCW that provides large classes with the ability to interact with the instructor using a variety of different interfaces. With wireless internet access, students interact with each other and the instructor without being anchored to a network port. This system radically alters the way students interact with instructors in different classroom settings across different disciplines.

Multimedia in the ClassroomMultimedia has been used in science and math lectures and labs at UNCW for nearly 10 years. However, most applications of media in large classrooms result in the students’ role becoming more passive. In addition, the media that is used to teach concepts are rarely used to test those concepts. In large classrooms, typically several hundred students, computers are rarely available for student use. Project Numina is a multidisciplinary effort to address these problems.

HP Jornada H/PCThe Hewlett-Packard Handheld PC (HPC) contains a full keyboard with VGA color graphics. The computers contain 32 MB internal and 48 MB external memory. Both audio and video are state-of-the-art and the computers run Microsoft Pocket Office and Pocket HyperChem under the Microsoft WinCE operating system.

Wireless EthernetComputers utilize 802.11 b standard-based wireless network connectivity with 11 MB per second throughput and a range of 150´ around each access point. Four access points are mounted in the ceiling of a large lecture hall (seating 120 students), while three laboratories share a single access point.

e-Book Version of TextProject Numina is working with the Engineering, Science, and Mathematics group of Prentice Hall to optimize Chemistry: The Central Science by Brown, LeMay, and Bursten for use with the Jornada. Currently, the book is in HTML format, which provides the opportunity to customize the text. All graphics and equations are found in the e-book.

Jornada DistributionA cart-based distribution system for the Jornadas has been developed. Each cart contains 32 computers and power supplies. An entire cart of computers can be distributed in 2 minutes and collected in 5 minutes. One hundred students in a lecture hall can collect Jornadas off three carts within 3 minutes and return the computers within 6 minutes.

Classroom Use of the System

Pocket HyperChem: A Chemical ApplicationPocket HyperChem provides the opportunity for students to learn about three-dimensional shapes of molecules, physical properties, and advanced chemical theories. Pocket HyperChem uses a pen-based interface, which allows students to tap the screen on atoms in a molecule. The software supports molecular mechanics and semi-empirical quantum mechanics. Both of which are applied to general, organic, and inorganic chemistry courses.

SWATT: Student Web Answer Template TechnologySWATT is a web-based student response system that contains a customizable student interface. By using the student response system, the student role shifts from passive to active. SWATT is designed to give instantaneous bulk data about the class’s comprehension of a topic. Research has clearly demonstrated that a very small number of students in a class respond when asked to raise their hands to answer questions. When using SWATT, typically 100 % of the class responds.

SWATT Multiple Choice Interface with Classroom View

Students respond with the pad shown below. The instructor controls when the graph (see diagram to right) is displayed. As soon as the graph appears, the instructor can accurately gauge the level of comprehension of the entire class. In problems with many steps, the instructor can ask for student responses at the end of each step.

VSEPR Theory: Enhancing Student Understanding Using HyperChemGeneral Chemistry students are given HyperChem exercises in which they measure bond angles and bond lengths and explain any deviations from ideal geometries based on VSEPR arguments. Students are then tested using HyperChem on handheld computers, thus connecting instruction with assessment.

Contact Information:

Department of Chemistry:

Dr. Charles R. Ward, ward@uncwil.edu

Dr. David P. White, whitedp@uncwil.edu

Dr. James H. Reeves, reeves@uncwil.edu

Department of Computer Science:

Dr. Ronald J. Vetter, vetterr@uncwil.edu

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Dr. Gabriel G. Lugo, lugo@uncwil.edu

Dr. Russell L. Herman, hermanr@uncwil.edu

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

601 South College Road

Wilmington, NC 28403-3297

601 South College RoadWilmington, NC 28403-3297

AffixStampHere