AZ Labster Consortium June 6, 2018 Planning Committee Meeting
The Az Labster Consortium Planning Committee met at the ASU SkySong Innovation Center from 10:00 - 12:00.
Attendees: Sam Butcher (Labster), Steve Peters (GAZeL & ATIC), Oris Friesen (GAZeL & ATIC), Henry Goldberg (ATIC), Philippos Savvides (ASU), Don Carter (NAU), Tracy Rexroat (Arizona Dept. of Education), John Walsh (Cochise College), David Stong (GAZeL), Tim Dosemagen (GAZeL), Bill Lombardi (IBM), Jeff Yarger (ASU).
Introduction
Sam Butcher, Customer Development Manager at Labster, explained Labster is a 6-year old educational technology software company that builds virtual online laboratory simulations for science courses. Sam focuses on Labster’s large collaborative projects that typically include considering policy issues in addition to effective implementation.
Steve explained the GAZeL-based Arizona Innovative Learning Collaborative, in partnership with the Arizona Telecommunications & Information Council (ATIC) and the Arizona Technology in Education Association (AzTEA), established this project to bring together a consortium that would enable Labster virtual online lab modules to be provided to Arizona educational institutions (schools, community colleges, universities) at reduced or no cost. Steve is initially focusing on bringing key players together to understand what they would like to have done and important issues to resolve. Foundations will likely be contacted later when the approach is more clearly defined. An organization would have to be identified to eventually manage the consortium.
Labster’s Effectiveness in Science Education
Sam began by describing the challenges universities/colleges face in STEM education: 1) knowledge gap (students have different levels of knowledge), 2) limited access to lab space, 3) disengaged students, 4) students arriving poorly prepared to labs, and 5) poor conceptual understanding. Labster helps overcome these challenges by providing access to lab simulations through a Web browser that are similar to what can be done in a physical lab, explains abstract concepts through storytelling, allows students to collect data and incorporate algorithms for different experiments, and provides real-world applications.
Labster is working with ASU and other universities to determine how to best incorporate their lab simulation modules into courses considering: in-class activity, flipped classrooms, pre-lab exercises, simulating inaccessible equipment, and safety training. The learnings from the Labster/ASU collaboration will be transferred to the other 150 universities Labster works with.
The effectiveness of Labster simulations in improving student learning has been investigated and results published. Using Labster alone resulted in a 76% improvement and Labster combined with traditional teaching resulted in a 101% improvement. Students with the lowest pre-test levels of knowledge had the greatest improvement benefitting from the self-paced approach of Labster.
Labster-ASU Work and Labster/Google/ASU Partnership on Virtual-Reality Labs
Philippos Savvides, Learning Technology Manager for ASU EdPlus and ASU Online, explained Labster simulations have been used in ASU biology (BIO 181/182) classes for over a year. There is a lot of interest in ASU offering a biology online degree, particularly for adult employed students who don’t want to travel to ASU for physical labs. The issue is how to deliver instruction entirely online, and ASU would like to explore how effective virtual-reality lab simulations are for this.
In November 2017, Labster/Google/ASU established a partnership to offer Virtual-Reality (VR) enabled lab simulations at ASU. This will use the Google Daydream VR platform (including specially-designed VR headsets by Lenovo), and allows students to effectively interact as they would in a physical lab including features such as 3D-visualization of microscopes. The partnership will build 30 VR-enabled lab simulations (10 in cellular/molecular biology,10 in animal physiology, and 10 in ecology) for use across various biology courses.
Sam stated Google provided the funding to Labster for development of the 30 VR simulations and has a revenue-sharing agreement with Labster. It is feasible other sources of funding will be found. Labster is planning to develop VR simulations in biology, engineering, medicine/nursing, etc. ASU’s partnership with Labster/Google is a significant opportunity for Arizona to take a leading role worldwide in VR lab simulations.
Labster may be able to establish a cross-institution approach in Arizona to develop new VR simulations. Don Carter, Director of NAU’s Academic and Research Technology Services, stated they are working on geology course VR simulations, such as a fully immersive course on geologic events using the Smart Sparrow Adaptive eLearning Platform. He will be meeting with the Gates Foundation who may be interested in how VR simulations could benefit low-income students.
Henry asked how much a Labster VR simulation module is expected to cost relative to their traditional Web-based lab simulation modules, and Sam responded a VR simulation costs roughly twice as much based on their current revenue-sharing agreement with Google (and the VR headset costs $400).
Labster Consortium Discussion
Sam explained that a consortium with multiple institutions involved will result in lower costs to purchase Labster modules because of economies-of-scale. Labster has seen such a model work well in California. A shared-service agreement could be established with government involvement where there would be discounted licenses for universities/community colleges/schools. There are also pricing models where students purchase licenses directly or pay a fee to participate in a course with a Labster module.
Philippos said ASU needs to look further at the consortium idea to see if it would work well. ASU would be interested if it increases access for students at lower cost. Don mentioned that barriers to institutional cooperation need to be overcome because there is often competition between institutions and departmental silos within institutions. David stated the consortium could act as a clearinghouse to make connections among institutions.
Sam said Labster has already seen considerable interest from different Arizona educational institutions: ASU, University of Arizona, University of Phoenix, NAU, Cochise College, and Pima College. Henry commented Nan Williams of AzTEA can help bring in appropriate K-12 school participation, especially at the high school level. Oris added the Paradise Valley Unified School District is very advanced with technology and may be interested in participating. David suggested the Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC) as a possible participant. Steve summarized we need to come up with an effective model for an Arizona consortium and how it would be managed. Henry and Sam suggested we start with a pilot project of interested institutions trialing appropriate lab simulations (including a rural school demo project), and then evolve to a consortium of a large number of educational institutions for the entire state gaining access to Labster simulations at reduced cost. Henry added that funding for the pilot project would be separate from funding for the overall consortium.
Tracy suggested the Arizona consortium could apply for grant funding (e.g. from NSF) to build out curriculum. Sam replied NSF funding is difficult because Labster is headquartered in Denmark and there are restrictions about how much funding can go to a vendor. John stated Cochise College wants to roll out Labster simulations in its biology courses and for training VR technicians, and they are applying for an NSF grant for this. Don added that NAU is applying for an NSF grant for VR.
Tracy and Bill commented industry might be interested in partnering because they may want to hire students with experience with virtual lab capabilities. Bill added governments may be interested in this for employment training, and it could be useful for hands-on training in makerspaces. David noted the Global Pathways Institute at ASU, a workforce development initiative, may be interested in promoting the virtual lab simulations approach for apprenticeships for students.
Steve explained that virtual lab simulations with virtual reality are part of the overall changing landscape in education with digital curriculum, makerspaces, robotics, competency-based education, etc. There are a lot of difficult issues to resolve as to why and how to roll these things out and integrate them with the professional development needed for teachers/professors. The GAZeL Arizona Innovative Learning Collaborative is planning an “Arizona Innovative Learning Conference” in early 2019 to discuss the vision and strategic planning for innovative learning in the state.
Next Steps
Sam will prepare shortly a Google Doc document that begins the discussion of what an Arizona Labster Consortium might look like and propose alternatives for participants’ reactions.
By August 2018, Sam will know which Arizona universities and community colleges are wanting to trial Labster simulations. Sam will keep us informed about this.
Henry and Oris will write up the summary of this meeting for distribution and placement on the GAZeL Labster Consortium Website.
Attendees: Sam Butcher (Labster), Steve Peters (GAZeL & ATIC), Oris Friesen (GAZeL & ATIC), Henry Goldberg (ATIC), Philippos Savvides (ASU), Don Carter (NAU), Tracy Rexroat (Arizona Dept. of Education), John Walsh (Cochise College), David Stong (GAZeL), Tim Dosemagen (GAZeL), Bill Lombardi (IBM), Jeff Yarger (ASU).
Introduction
Sam Butcher, Customer Development Manager at Labster, explained Labster is a 6-year old educational technology software company that builds virtual online laboratory simulations for science courses. Sam focuses on Labster’s large collaborative projects that typically include considering policy issues in addition to effective implementation.
Steve explained the GAZeL-based Arizona Innovative Learning Collaborative, in partnership with the Arizona Telecommunications & Information Council (ATIC) and the Arizona Technology in Education Association (AzTEA), established this project to bring together a consortium that would enable Labster virtual online lab modules to be provided to Arizona educational institutions (schools, community colleges, universities) at reduced or no cost. Steve is initially focusing on bringing key players together to understand what they would like to have done and important issues to resolve. Foundations will likely be contacted later when the approach is more clearly defined. An organization would have to be identified to eventually manage the consortium.
Labster’s Effectiveness in Science Education
Sam began by describing the challenges universities/colleges face in STEM education: 1) knowledge gap (students have different levels of knowledge), 2) limited access to lab space, 3) disengaged students, 4) students arriving poorly prepared to labs, and 5) poor conceptual understanding. Labster helps overcome these challenges by providing access to lab simulations through a Web browser that are similar to what can be done in a physical lab, explains abstract concepts through storytelling, allows students to collect data and incorporate algorithms for different experiments, and provides real-world applications.
Labster is working with ASU and other universities to determine how to best incorporate their lab simulation modules into courses considering: in-class activity, flipped classrooms, pre-lab exercises, simulating inaccessible equipment, and safety training. The learnings from the Labster/ASU collaboration will be transferred to the other 150 universities Labster works with.
The effectiveness of Labster simulations in improving student learning has been investigated and results published. Using Labster alone resulted in a 76% improvement and Labster combined with traditional teaching resulted in a 101% improvement. Students with the lowest pre-test levels of knowledge had the greatest improvement benefitting from the self-paced approach of Labster.
Labster-ASU Work and Labster/Google/ASU Partnership on Virtual-Reality Labs
Philippos Savvides, Learning Technology Manager for ASU EdPlus and ASU Online, explained Labster simulations have been used in ASU biology (BIO 181/182) classes for over a year. There is a lot of interest in ASU offering a biology online degree, particularly for adult employed students who don’t want to travel to ASU for physical labs. The issue is how to deliver instruction entirely online, and ASU would like to explore how effective virtual-reality lab simulations are for this.
In November 2017, Labster/Google/ASU established a partnership to offer Virtual-Reality (VR) enabled lab simulations at ASU. This will use the Google Daydream VR platform (including specially-designed VR headsets by Lenovo), and allows students to effectively interact as they would in a physical lab including features such as 3D-visualization of microscopes. The partnership will build 30 VR-enabled lab simulations (10 in cellular/molecular biology,10 in animal physiology, and 10 in ecology) for use across various biology courses.
Sam stated Google provided the funding to Labster for development of the 30 VR simulations and has a revenue-sharing agreement with Labster. It is feasible other sources of funding will be found. Labster is planning to develop VR simulations in biology, engineering, medicine/nursing, etc. ASU’s partnership with Labster/Google is a significant opportunity for Arizona to take a leading role worldwide in VR lab simulations.
Labster may be able to establish a cross-institution approach in Arizona to develop new VR simulations. Don Carter, Director of NAU’s Academic and Research Technology Services, stated they are working on geology course VR simulations, such as a fully immersive course on geologic events using the Smart Sparrow Adaptive eLearning Platform. He will be meeting with the Gates Foundation who may be interested in how VR simulations could benefit low-income students.
Henry asked how much a Labster VR simulation module is expected to cost relative to their traditional Web-based lab simulation modules, and Sam responded a VR simulation costs roughly twice as much based on their current revenue-sharing agreement with Google (and the VR headset costs $400).
Labster Consortium Discussion
Sam explained that a consortium with multiple institutions involved will result in lower costs to purchase Labster modules because of economies-of-scale. Labster has seen such a model work well in California. A shared-service agreement could be established with government involvement where there would be discounted licenses for universities/community colleges/schools. There are also pricing models where students purchase licenses directly or pay a fee to participate in a course with a Labster module.
Philippos said ASU needs to look further at the consortium idea to see if it would work well. ASU would be interested if it increases access for students at lower cost. Don mentioned that barriers to institutional cooperation need to be overcome because there is often competition between institutions and departmental silos within institutions. David stated the consortium could act as a clearinghouse to make connections among institutions.
Sam said Labster has already seen considerable interest from different Arizona educational institutions: ASU, University of Arizona, University of Phoenix, NAU, Cochise College, and Pima College. Henry commented Nan Williams of AzTEA can help bring in appropriate K-12 school participation, especially at the high school level. Oris added the Paradise Valley Unified School District is very advanced with technology and may be interested in participating. David suggested the Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC) as a possible participant. Steve summarized we need to come up with an effective model for an Arizona consortium and how it would be managed. Henry and Sam suggested we start with a pilot project of interested institutions trialing appropriate lab simulations (including a rural school demo project), and then evolve to a consortium of a large number of educational institutions for the entire state gaining access to Labster simulations at reduced cost. Henry added that funding for the pilot project would be separate from funding for the overall consortium.
Tracy suggested the Arizona consortium could apply for grant funding (e.g. from NSF) to build out curriculum. Sam replied NSF funding is difficult because Labster is headquartered in Denmark and there are restrictions about how much funding can go to a vendor. John stated Cochise College wants to roll out Labster simulations in its biology courses and for training VR technicians, and they are applying for an NSF grant for this. Don added that NAU is applying for an NSF grant for VR.
Tracy and Bill commented industry might be interested in partnering because they may want to hire students with experience with virtual lab capabilities. Bill added governments may be interested in this for employment training, and it could be useful for hands-on training in makerspaces. David noted the Global Pathways Institute at ASU, a workforce development initiative, may be interested in promoting the virtual lab simulations approach for apprenticeships for students.
Steve explained that virtual lab simulations with virtual reality are part of the overall changing landscape in education with digital curriculum, makerspaces, robotics, competency-based education, etc. There are a lot of difficult issues to resolve as to why and how to roll these things out and integrate them with the professional development needed for teachers/professors. The GAZeL Arizona Innovative Learning Collaborative is planning an “Arizona Innovative Learning Conference” in early 2019 to discuss the vision and strategic planning for innovative learning in the state.
Next Steps
Sam will prepare shortly a Google Doc document that begins the discussion of what an Arizona Labster Consortium might look like and propose alternatives for participants’ reactions.
By August 2018, Sam will know which Arizona universities and community colleges are wanting to trial Labster simulations. Sam will keep us informed about this.
Henry and Oris will write up the summary of this meeting for distribution and placement on the GAZeL Labster Consortium Website.