1. Designing and Implementing Virtual Courseware to Promote Inquiry-based Learning Mel Limson Robert Desharnais and Dave Mayo Departments of Biological and Geological Sciences California State University, Los Angeles Developed with support from the U.S. National Science Foundation and the California State University

2. Project Philosophy Students Learn by Doing! Virtual Courseware activities are interactive simulations that emphasize the scientific method: making observations proposing hypotheses designing experiments collecting and analyzing data synthesizing and communicating results

3. Activities Produced Virtual FlyLab (1995) Virtual Earthquake (1996) Biology Labs On-Line (1999 –2002) Geology Labs On-Line (1999–2001) New Earthquake Activity (2000–2003) Global Warming Suite (2002 –2005) Energy Balance Future Climate Change VCISE - V irtual C ourseware for I nquiry-based S cience E ducation (2004 +) Drosophila Geologic Relative Dating

4. Guiding Design Principles Align to learning standards or objectives Make the software web-based and easily accessible Design to be interactive, intuitive, and inquiry-based Reinforce scientific methodology and thinking skills Create open-ended simulations with linear demonstration tours

5. Guiding Design Principles Simulate experimental error by programming randomization algorithms Provide mechanisms that allow students to save results Incorporate assessment tools Allow customization by instructors Provide supporting documentation

6. ScienceCourseware.org

7. Mel Limson, Ph.D. Project Manager Email: mlimson@calstatela.edu Dave Mayo, Ph.D. Project Co-Director, Geological Sciences Paul Narguizian, Ph.D. Faculty Associate, Science Education David Risner Software Engineer Bobby Berberyan Graphics Designer Robert Desharnais, Ph.D. Project Director, Biological Sciences Email: rdeshar@calstatela.edu LaShawn Allen Graduate Assistant Virtual Courseware Project Team