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Final Report
February 16, 1996
Title:
Understanding Data Distributions and Statistics: Enhancing the Scientific and Quantitative Literacy
of Students in Psychology, Economics, and WomenÕs Studies Via Interactive Experiments and
Simulations on a Computer Network
Chris Jazwinski and Leslie Valdes (Psychology)
Mary Edwards (Economics)
Zoa Rockenstein (WomenÕs Studies and Psychology)
Abstract
An understanding of data distributions and statistics is crucial in the social sciences. Human
behavior is probabilistic, and to study it effectively one must analyze distributions. We had
requested computer equipment to create a classroom environment for the collection, analysis and
display of data from experiments, descriptive studies, and market simulations. The interactive
collection, display, and analysis of data can be integrated into the daily teaching activities of selected,
data-intensive courses within the disciplines of psychology (e.g., cognitive psychology, social
psychology, statistics), economics (e.g., experimental economics), and womenÕs studies. In the
proposed classroom, ten student workstations were to be connected with each other and with the
instructorÕs server workstation via LAN (local area network). The instructorÕs workstation (server)
was to control events on student workstations. Thanks to additional grant money obtained from the
DeanÕs Office of the College of Social Sciences, additional equipment has been either purchased or
is on order. The network has been expanded to 15 student workstations, 1 instructor computer and
a server located in a remote space for security reasons. A projection system and a printer are also
being added. The LAN has been connected via ethernet to the university computer network, thus
allowing remote access to statistical software such as Minitab, other networks, national and
international data bases via Internet.
Due to difficulties in obtaining the equipment on time, the computer classroom was not in full
operation until Winter 1996. Even at this time, unanticipated equipment failures such as one faulty
hard drive on the server computer have put us behind schedule. Therefore, student learning
assessment data will be added to this report following Winter 1996.
Description of the physical environment.
The classroom space (Stewart Hall 306) was procured via discussions with the Dean of the
College of Social Sciences and the University Architect. Space was also made available in Whitney
House for the server ÒgaiaÓ (WH 207). Existing furniture was replaced with 15 trapezoidal tables
and 30 chairs. Pull-out computer keyboard drawers were installed on each table. A diagram of the
floor plan of the room is displayed in Appendix A. The classroom has been electrically rewired to
handle the increased demand.
There are currently 13 student terminals and an instructor's terminal (Gateway 2000 DX4
computers) set up in the room (two additional Pentium computers are on order). Four of the
computers were purchased with moneys provided by the College of Social Sciences Dean's Office.
Each computer has been connected to the campus ethernet backbone via direct IP addresses.
Currently the software used on the computers consists of Windows for Work groups, MEL
laboratory, Claris Works, Microsoft Office, Netscape, and other network applications such as Ewan
telnet. The funds to buy copies of Microsoft Office were donated by the Women's Studies program.
The server computer, Gaia, was obtained as part of a matching grant from the College of Social
Sciences Dean's Office. Gaia is a Gateway 2000 120 Megahertz Pentium computer with 32 Mb of
RAM and two one-gigabyte hard drives. Another 2 gigabyte hard drive is on order, which will
allow effective backup and uninterrupted service. Gaia is accessible from the classroom in Stewart
Hall because it is also connected to the campus ethernet backbone via a direct IP address. Gaia is
running LINUX, a PC version of UNIX. The web server on gaia is now operational. The
capability to use Gaia for news groups, email, and class accounts has also been realized.
Management of the classroom
Chris Jazwinski and Leslie Valdes have developed a classroom use policy. See Appendix B.
Refinements of the policy will be an ongoing project. Maintenance of the computer classroom will
be financed via supplemental course fees. Course fee proposals have now been submitted for ten
courses in the Spring of 1996 (Economics, Psychology, Sociology). Faculty from Geography,
WomenÕs Studies, and Interdisciplinary Studies have expressed an interest in future use of the
facility. The current schedules for winter quarter (1996) and spring quarter 1996 for courses using
SH 306 are shown in Appendices C and D, respectively. A committee will be formed for the
administration of these fees.
Assessment of Student Outcomes
Student learning outcomes will be assessed via the following measurement techniques:
assessment of student participation in electronic discussions (see instrument in Appendix E);
comparison of student attitudes towards math and computer technology before and after using the
computer classroom, as well as for courses using vs. not using the computer classroom (see
instrument in Appendix F);
comparison of syllabi for courses using vs. not using the computer classroom;
student products from classes using the computer classroom;
Data will be attached to this report following the conclusion of the Winter 1996 quarter.
Dissemination of the grant
Two papers have been submitted to the Small College Computing Conference (St. Cloud, April
1996) from which proceedings will be published. Leslie Valdes and Chris Jazwinski have proposed
a paper entitled "An examination of electronic discussion groups in a university setting". This paper
investigates the effectiveness of using electronic discussion. Chris Jazwinski and Leslie Valdes
submitted another paper entitled "Using the World Wide Web to Teach Psychology in a Networked
Computer Classroom". This paper delineates the mechanics of using the World Wide Web for
instructional purposes.
Timeline
June 1995
Meeting with the grantees to determine whether the classroom would be located.
A floor plan for the room was constructed.
Meetings with the Dean of the College of Social Science, representatives from psychology, chair
of women's studies and chair of Ecoonomics to locate an appropriate room to house the classroom.
Stewart Hall 306 was selected as a possible site for the classroom.
Meeting with Steve Ludwig, the Vice President, to discuss any renovation needed to any room
used in Stewart Hall. A projected time table was discussed to accomplish the required changes.
Meeting with Phil Thorson on the requirements for using the internet in SH 306. The possibility
of completing the project before the begining of Fall quarter.
Meeting with Dave Gamble, inventory, to request the removal of the desk chairs in SH 306, to
inquire about finding tables and chairs to replace the desk chairs.
Classes scheduled in SH 306 for summer session II were relocated to different rooms. Classes
were moved because it was expected SH 306 would be under space construction.
A matching fund grant proposal was written. The main purpose of the grant was to acquire the
server and three workstations to set up a pilot network. In addition to purchase the necessary
wiring. It was hoped that equipement purchased with this grant would arrive in July.
The Psychology Department donated 7 tables. The Psychology Department purchased tables to
replace the donated furniture.
Letter to the Dean's office was written to formally request the use of SH 306 for the interactive
computer classroom.
Money for student help was transferred to Psychology Department. The student assistant as well
as Jazwinski began investigating the different system requirements for LINUX and locating
information using LINUX.
Matching fund grant was awarded from the Dean's office of the College of Social Sciences The
equipment was ordered. However, the equipment didn't arrive until late in August
July 1995
Inventory located two tables for SH306.
Maintance removed the desk chairs from SH 306. Nine tables were to moved to SH 306 (7 from
psychology and 2 from inventory). Inventory was not able to locate any more tables. Thus
psychology donated the remaining 8 needed tables in exchange for one of the tables from inventory.
A table was moved to the psychology lab and the 8 tables from the psychology lab were moved to
SH 306.
The student help money needed to be transferred from fiscal year 1994-1995 to the fiscal year
1995-1996.
Slackware was ordered. Although LINUX can be downloaded for free, it was decided to
purchase Slackware's version of LINUX because it came on CD.
Ethernet wiring was done for the room with the server. There was a delay in wiring SH 306.
The closest point to connect the ethernet wiring from SH 306 was over the limit for a simple run; so
a conjunction needed to be build.
The remaining workstations were ordered.
August 1995
The classroom was wired for internet.
The server and the three workstations arrived. The Cabletron cards were installed in each. It
was then possible to hook them up to the Internet.
Because the computers had not arrived, new rooms were found for courses originally scheduled
for the classroom in Fall quarter.
September 1995
The remaining equipment arrived.
Temporary electrical wiring was done.
October 1995
PSY 382 met in the room. to do experiments.
PSY 216 meet once a week in the room to use Mystat.
Psy 275 (Psychology of Women) and two sections of Psy 273 (social Psychology) met in SH-306 a
number of times, mainly to access Internet via the World Wide Web.
November 1995
Initial assessment on electronic discussion was done.
Server (Gaia) was established in WH-209. A number of problems had to be worked out, such as
incompatibilities with a particular version of LINUX (an older version was used), networking
problems (incompatibilities with the campus NOVELL network), etc. Also, one of the hard drives
was found to be damaged.
December 1995
Two proposals related to the instructional use of the computer classroom facility for the Small
College Computing Symposium were submitted.
Leslie Valdes and Chris Jazwinski "An examination of electronic discussion groups in a university setting"
Chris Jazwinski and Leslie Valdes "Using the World Wide Web to Teach Psychology in a Networked Computer
Classroom".
Web server software was implemented on Gaia.
Work on gateway programming conducted by the student assistant.
Research on adaptation of gateway programming for instructional purposes, such as experimental
demos was conducted by Jazwinski and Valdes.
course fee applications were submitted from Psychology, Economics, Sociology, and
Interdisciplinary Studies.
January 1996
Research on adaptation of gateway programming for instructional purposes continued by Jazwinski.
Work on gateway programming conducted by the student assistant.
February 1996
A committee was formed to oversee the use of course fees and the classsroom facility.
Research on adaptation of gateway programming for instructional purposes continued by Jazwinski.
Work on gateway programming conducted by the student assistant.
Further assessment of the impact of the new classroom facility on student learning was conducted.
Budget
Budget
Item Explanation source Unit Price Qty Price
Server
Gateway 2000 Pentium computer
120 Mhz Pentium 16 Mb/1Gb HD, 15"
Vivitron Color with tower case Server for the network dean $3,284 1 $3,284
Extra 16 Mb RAM (2 x 8Mb) Increase functionality of server dean $353 2 $706
10BaseT Ethernet Adapter for ISA slot/Cabletron allows networking dean $161 1 $161
Second 1 Gb internal HD Stores student accounts and backup
software dean $324 1 $324
Ethernet port for WH-207 Allows access to the server from
remote locations dean $145 1 $145
Power Surplus Backup Prevents interruption of power. ECON $180 1 $180
$4,800
Workstations
Instructor's terminal. dean $1,920 1 $1,920
Gateway 2000 486 4DX2-66 computer 8Mb RAM 540Mb HD
Ensoniq Soundscape & Altec Lansing ACS-31 speakers with
tower case Allows instructor to demonstrate
software and use multi-media
software.
10BaseT Ethernet Adapter for ISA slot/Cabletron allows networking dean $161 1 $161
Ethernet port for SH 306 Allows access to the server from
remote locations dean $145 1 $145
$2,226
Student's terminals
Gateway 2000 486 4DX2-66 computer 8Mb RAM 540Mb HD Student's terminal dean $1627 3 $4,881
Q7 $1596 10 $15,960
Cover cost overrun for computers PSYCH $53 $53
10BaseT Ethernet Adapter for ISA slot/Cabletron allows networking dean $161 3 $483
Q7 $94 10 $940
Ethernet ports for SH 306 Allows access to internet for each
workstation dean $145 15 $2175
Wiring for ethernet Allowas access to internet. Each
terminal needs own wiring. dean $85 17 $1445
$25,937
Subtotal for computers $32,963
Furniture
Air conditioner for WH 207 Keeps WH 207 with the server at a
reasonable temperature. Inventory Donated 1 $0
Computer desk for WH 207 Provides desk space for server. PSYCH $199 1 $199
Tables Replaces the desk-chairs. Provides
room for computers. PSYCH Donated 15 $0
Desk trays Holds the keyboard PSYCH $38.95 15 $584.25
surge suppressors Allows computers to receive
electricity. Q7 $6 7 $42
Chairs Replaces the desk-chairs. Inventory Donated 32 $0
conduit Needed for running ethernet wires ECON $39.60 1 $39.60
Subtotal for Furniture $864.85
Software
slackware Runs LINUX. Allows server to
function as a server. Q7 $45 1 $45
Microsoft Office Runs word processing, spreadsheet,
and presentation programs. WS $62.5 16 $1,000
Mel Laboratory Allows students to do experiments Students $0
Network applications such as Netscape and Ewan Allows students to use the internet SCSU
Subtotal for Software $1,045
Other
Student help Sets up server and the network of
computers in SH 306. Q7 $1,000 1 $1,000
Facility supervision and coordination Maintaining facility and
coordinating the use of the room PSYCH donated $0
Subtotal for Other $1,000
Total Expenditures $35,872.85
Total monies from Dean's Office $13,978
Total monies from Q7 grant $20,060
Total monies from Psychology $837.25
Total monies from Women's Studies $1000
Total monies from Economics $240
Total monies $36,115.25
Appendix B
Written by: Chris Jazwinski and Leslie Valdes
Computer Classroom Use Policy Proposal
Tentative lab fee policy
Beginning in the Spring 1996 quarter, access to the classroom will be opened to all
departments in the College of Social Sciences, with priority given to those classes in which
educational modules for use in the classroom have been developed as part of the Q-7 grant. This
priority reflects the goal of the Q-7 grant funding: that educational modules be developed as a result
of the grant and that the impact of the grant should extend beyond the funding period. Priority will
also be given to those classes in which the unique features of the lab are being utilized (networking,
file sharing via LINUX or Windows for work groups, etc.).
Starting Spring quarter 1996, usage will be limited to students enrolled in classes with a lab
fee. The lab fee is necessary for the upkeep and expansion of the facility. The classroom will be
available to students only during class time. The lab will be locked at times when it is not scheduled
for classroom use. If funds for a student assistant later become available, then it may be possible to
schedule some open time in the lab, which would still be limited to Social Sciences faculty and
students in classes with a lab fee.
Any department wishing to schedule a class in Room 306 must work out a reciprocity
arrangement with Psychology in which an equivalent room will be made available to the Psychology
department at the same time. Scheduling of Room SH-306 will be done by the Psychology
Department Office.
In order to use the classroom in the Spring of 1996, interested faculty must submit a lab fee
form via the DeanÕs Office by approximately the end of the second week of the Winter term. A
mechanism will be put in place for lab fee moneys to flow into a special lab account. It is expected
that new computers, repairs, maintenance, and perhaps student assistant money will be funded from
such funds. If the revenue generated by lab fees exceeds $3000. per year, a committee will formed
or designated to assist in oversight of expenditure of these moneys.
Lab fee specifics (beginning Spring 1996)
All faculty who intend to regularly schedule classes in the computer classroom (SH-306) must
plan to do so in advance no later than the third week of the prior quarter.
Interested faculty must first contact the Psychology Department tel 255-4157 (or Jazwinski,
255-3271) to ascertain the availability of SH 306 at the desired time. If the classroom is scheduled
for use throughout the quarter, then an equivalent room must be made available to the Psychology
Department that term. The reason for this is that the Psychology Department had to give up one itÕs
two rooms in SH to house the facility.
Faculty wishing to use the new computer classroom must gain approval for the assignment of a
lab fee to students (approval is granted by the Administration). The collection of a lab fee is
necessary for the maintenance and expansion of the facility.
The size of the lab fee is predicated on the basis of the number of computers in the interactive
classroom. There will be 14 computers (including the instructorÕs) in SH-306 during Fall 1995. It
is hoped that the number of computers can be increased to 16 (including one for the instructor) by
Spring 1996. Our plan is to provide enough seats and space to allow up to two students per
computer (=30 students).
Course syllabi should include a brief statement that the lab fee is use to support the interactive
computer classroom and no funds are received from the university-wide student computer fee.
Size of lab fee:
¥ 50 cents per hour per student for classes regularly scheduled in lab (up to $10. lab fee per 4
credit course); We are assuming that in a regularly scheduled class, students would be using the
computer at most 50% of the time. This is how we computed the fee.
¥ $1.00 per student per hour for ad hoc scheduling. If an instructor wishes to schedule his or
her class in the computer classroom five times during a given term, then a $5. fee would need to be
assessed.
¥ If any instructor wishes schedule the room but was unable to get approval for the lab fee, the
instructor or the instructor's department or unit will be responsible for transferring $30 per session
into the interactive computer classroom's account. This fee assumes up to 30 students with up to 2
students sharing a computer.
Software Availability Policy
Faculty who wish to use the classroom will need to identify what kind of software they wish to
use, and develop activities and demonstrations suited to their educational objectives. Departments
wishing to use particular software that is not already available will need to make their own
arrangements for its purchase.
Software Installation Policy
Instructors may bring floppies and CD-Rom discs to use in the classroom. However, software
installation on the hard drives will be performed from the server computer by the network
administrator to insure uniform configurations on all machines. It is recommended that students and
faculty store data files either on floppies or ÒgaiaÓ, the server, if they have an account. There is no
guarantee that data files saved on workstation hard drives will remain intact.
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