[APRU-DLP] Minutes of APRUNet DLPP Call of 19/20 April 2005

[Zita Wenzel]

Dear Colleagues,

Only Megan Harber, UCSD, and Judy Lemus, USC, were able to attend the 
19/20 April DLPP teleconference.  COULD FENU AND UNAM PLEASE RESPOND BY 
APRIL 30 AS TO WHETHER THE EXPANDED EXPERIMENT BELOW WOULD WORK FOR 
THEM?  Otherwise, we will set Megan's experiment for this summer.

Please note that I will be off-line through much of May (I am getting 
married).  In any case, it is imperative for us to close on both the 
project and the logistics as soon as possible for partner schools and 
teachers to be able to implement the DLPP.  I would like to set April 30 
as the day to finalize on the project.

The call was very productive.  As per the agenda, we discussed the 
relative merits of Megan's and Judy's proposals. 

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MINUTES OF 19/20 APRIL 2005 TELECONFERENCE

1.  Megan Harber (UCSD)

The classes would look at 5 variables (oceanography, biodiversity, 
ecological systems, temperature, environmental implications) on five 
different species of fish in different APRU partner locations.  Each 
small group of students within a class would take a variable.  We can do 
this now because it is a fairly simple descriptive study.  We would not 
need to work synchronously; each school could work on their schedule and 
then we could coordinate presentation of results.  Perhaps there could 
be partner schools such as UCSD and UNAM and USC and FENU?

2.  Judy Lemus (USC)

She is the West Coast Director of CAPMON

http://www.coexploration.org/
http://www.globalheartbeat.org/html/introduction.html

They currently have an experiment looking at different crab species 
hearbeats in an experimental paradigm.  Perhaps we can use the same 
variables as Magan's?  There is software and hardware that is needed 
that affixes to the crab's back to non-invasively monitor hear rate 
under different conditions.  This equipment may require funding for the 
hardware.  Because of that, and because it is more difficult due to its 
experimental nature, Zita suggested that perhaps it should be the next 
project after Megan's?

Megan liked Judy's proposal very much and suggested they integrate 
them.  She can find crab species and can tailor her class.  In response 
to Zita's cost of equipment question, Judy stated that she thinks she 
can get three more loaner units, but she will check (schools would need 
to have their own laptop running Windows XP).  Each unit is 2 channel 
and monitors 2 crabs at a time.  The units could be rotated throughout 
the class.  The most labor intensive part of setting it up is to collect 
the crabs, attach the monitors, and set up the protocol.  Long battery 
life on the laptop is helpful.  Each experiment would be one hour.  The 
crabs are not disturbed and can last about one week.  There is a box to 
glued leads, Windows XP, and software.  Aquariums can be 5 gallons, or 
even smaller like a shoe box or buckets with bubblers or tide pools.  A 
high school teacher can set it up easily.  There is a 1-2 page 
instruction sheet that Zita suggested should be translated into Spanish 
and Russian.  Judy only has an 8 day class, so is going to check in with 
us later; there are 25 students in her class.  Zita suggested that if 
Judy cannot locate loaner units, if her class will not work within 8 
days, or if FENU and/or UNAM can't join in, that we delay this project 
for the next DLPP.  [N.B.  Judy was able to locate loaner units for each 
partner university.]

Regarding reporting:

A web site does exist on the CAPMON web sites; they would also need to 
be thanked. Judy suggested an online conference instead of an in-person 
conference. The Global Hearbeat project uses CAUCUS, but it is licensed. 
Zita suggested that maybe we could put it on the APRU web site?

3.  Other issues

- Set timelines and end date

- Technologies (Videoconferencing, email, lists, chat).  If partners use WebCT or Blackboard, they could use them.

- Presentation of results - Paper? Table?  Zita suggested an in-person student conference (with APRU funding)?  Judy suggested an on-line conference.

- Assessment - preferably not long survey, but maybe three free-form questions (Did you find it useful?  Would you do it again?  What would be better?).  Results could also be posted on the APRU DLPP web site.

ACTION ITEMS

Judy - will check on loaners, instructions, software, and her class time
Megan - will check on whether she can get aquarium space
Zita - will check with FENU and UNAM, explore the CAUCUS software, posting of the conference and results on the APRU site
UNAM - respond!
FENU - respond!

PLEASE let me know if FENU and UNAM can participate in this project?

I suggest as the PROJECT PARAMETERS:

1.  Project

"Global Heatbeat of Crabs from different APRU regions"

A project of APRU partner high school students with faculty members working in collaborative international teams.

2.  Project timeline

UCSD July 10-31
USC  July 28-August 04
FENU ??
UNAM ??

3.  Technology

Specialized heartbeat hardware and software that allows remote data collection.  Inter-class communication and result sharing via email, videoconferencing (Zita will maintain), chat, and on-line synchronous software.

4.  Results

Posted on APRU DLPP web site.  Shared via on-line conference.

5.  Assessment

Short on-line survey (see above) with follow-up (since students will be on different time schedules).  Post results on the APRU DLPP web site.

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PLEASE COMMENT AND LET US ALL KNOW IF WE CAN MOVE AHEAD WITH THIS.  I think it is a very exciting project with the addition of the hearbeat technology that would also teach the students about technology-enabled data collection and reporting.

Best regards,
Zita