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ACIE Grant Instructional Outcomes
This document lists all of the projects funded by ACIE grants and completed since 2000, sorted by discipline. Following a brief abstract, each project has a link to a full article from the Teaching Times explaining what the project accomplished and how the funds were used. It is our hope that those exploring the possibility of obtaining an ACIE grant in the future will find some inspiration and help in this resource. AnthropologyCasts in the Classroom: An Innovative Approach to Archeology Instruction consists of an artifact activity kit that includes 11 resin casts of stone artifacts, an illustrated instruction manual, and six activity modules, providing students with a realistic, hands-on archeology experience. (Anthony Boldurian, Anthropology, UPG, 2003) Biological SciencesIntegrating Digital Documentation into the General Biology Laboratory Curriculum reconstructs the traditional microscopy lab exercises so that they now integrate digital imaging technology, enabling students to improve their microscopy skills and their proficiency in the use of integrated technology. (Bruce W. Robart and Kim Ziance, Biology, UPJ, 2005) Developing Human Physiology Modules for Training Health Care Professionals is comprised of two new modules for the Anatomy and Physiology and Human Body System course laboratories to engage students in learning about cardiac function, muscle physiology, and nervous system reflexes. (Linda Winkler, Biological Sciences and Anatomy, UPT, 2004) Developing a Sense of Place employs a semester-long orientation program that promotes interdisciplinary collaboration among faculty and students and helps freshmen participants build bonds to their campus, their community, and with one another. (Jody Burgert, Education, Stephen Robar, Political Science/Environmental Policy, and Dessie Severson, Biology, 2002) Computer Aided Instruction in Biology Laboratories at UPJ consists of 12 computers and 14 software packages such as A.D.A.M. Interactive Anatomy to enable students in the anatomy and physiology labs at UPJ to take advantage of computer simulations, tutorials, pictorial dissection guides, and the Internet. (Karen Lee, Biology, UPJ, 2000) Primate Behavior and Biology: Developing a Field Ecology Course required traveling to Nicaragua to capture, tag, and release howling monkeys for study in a primate field ecology course intended to expose students to primate field work, tropical forest ecology, and conservation management in a third-world country. (Linda Winkler, Biology, UPT, 2000) BusinessTeaching Management and Leadership through Classic and Contemporary Literature and Film applied the Hartwick Collection (a set of works from literature, history, and philosophy) in a newly designed, accelerated section of Organizational Behavior, enabling undergraduate business majors to develop real-life management and leadership skills. (Audrey Murrell, Katz Graduate School of Business, 2000) ChemistryComputation and Molecular Visualization across the Chemistry Curriculum at the University of Pittsburgh includes targeted course activities and a Web site for tutorials and activities and provides faculty, TA, and student training; and with the application of CAChe computational chemistry software, students can now engage in molecular visualization and also compute energies and molecular properties. (Elizabeth Bell-Loncella, Chemistry, UPJ and David Waldeck, Chemistry, 2004) Resource Center for Natural Sciences 1&2 employs a resource room including computer terminals and a collection of relevant books, reference materials, and “hands-on” models, exhibits, and demonstrations, enabling nonscience majors to recognize the relevance of science. (Peter F. M. Koehler, Physics & Astronomy; J. Patrick Card, Neuroscience; and David W. Pratt, Chemistry, 2000) In 3D Stereo Visualization in Chemistry Instruction, a revolutionary 3D projection system helps transform classroom media and enables instructors to go beyond two-dimensional media to convey the shapes and other properties of three-dimensional entities. (Kenneth D. Jordan, Chemistry, 2002) Automated Spectrophotometry in General Chemistry Laboratory employs four portable spectrophotometry stations consisting of appropriate PCs and state-of-the-art, interfaceable spectrophotometers, enabling students to make spectrophotometry measurements quickly and accurately. (Peter Siska and Stanley Paul, Chemistry, 2001) An Individualized, Interactive Internet System (3IS) to Enhance Learning in Large General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Lecture Classes features a database containing questions and answers organized by key words and by location in the textbook, allowing students to access, for example, a quiz on a topic they have not mastered or one on material for an upcoming exam. (Joe Grabowski, Chemistry, 2001) CommunicationDevelopment and Implementation of a Technical Speaking Course in Mathematics is a primary technical speaking course for upper-level mathematics majors, enabling these students to communicate mathematical ideas, concepts, problems, and solutions to laymen. (Stephen Curran, Michael Ferencak and John Thompson, Mathematics and Susan Wieczorek, Communication, UPJ, 2004) Integrating Oral and Writing Skills provides an instructional model for incorporating both public speaking and writing into courses, allowing students to learn about the relevant relationships between writing and speaking. (John Poulakos and Patricia Sullivan, Communication, 2002) Academic Service Learning in the Communication Department at UPJ integrates service learning with computer-based instruction including a mobile computer system with software for editing sound and visuals and designing print and online materials and a high quality printer and scanner. (Diane Nicodemus and Merrily Swoboda, Communication, UPJ, 2001) Computer ScienceInteractive Multi-Modal Learning in Discrete Mathematics consists of instructional software that includes three primary components—Web pages, a toolbox, and practice quizzes—enabling students to access content on demand and receive instant feedback. (Yasir Khalifa, George Novacky and Patchrawat Uthaisombut, Computer Science, 2004) Laboratory for Computer Network Security Instruction recreates in a controlled environment 10 computer attack scenarios providing students hands-on experience in countering such attacks. (José Brustoloni, Computer Science, 2003) Using Java for Computer Science 1501 integrates newly created algorithmic animations with existing ones, providing on the Data Structures and Algorithms course Web site concrete examples that were previously limited by the time and space constraints of the classroom and the textbook. (Kirk Pruhs and John Ramirez, Computer Science, 2000) Mobile Robots for Teaching Undergraduate Computer Science expands an ongoing project incorporating mobile robots into the undergraduate computer science curriculum by making innovative use of these mobile robots as a teaching platform to enhance students’ computer programming skills. (Donald Chiarulli and Martha Pollack, Computer Science, 2000) Dental MedicineInteractive Features for “Computing in Dentistry” incorporates a hybrid software application and an online textbook in this multipurpose, comprehensive course, enabling dental students to use digital technologies for diagnosis and treatment. (Titus Schleyer, Dental Medicine, 2003) Adaptive Hypermedia to Introduce Tissue Engineering to Dental, Medical, and Engineering Students is an intuitive, adaptive online course in tissue engineering that delivers content tailored to the pre-existing knowledge and learning styles of individual students. (Charles Sfeir and Heiko Spallek, Dental Medicine, 2003) East Asian Language and LiteratureHeian Japan and The Tale of Genji is the first of three proposed interdisciplinary courses on the history, literature, and art of Japan in the project, History, Literature, and Art in Japan: An Interdisciplinary Course. (Ann Jannetta, History, J. Thomas Rimer, E. Asian Languages and Literatures, and Karen Gerhart, History of Art and Architecture, 2001)EducationLINCS: International Service-Learning Course Sequence involved 24 Pitt students, faculty, and staff combining service-learning theory and practice to forge links among residents, students, and faculty in Urumbamba, Peru, as they helped the villagers construct a preschool and community center. (Maureen Porter, Education, 2000) EngineeringActive Learning with Writing, Experimenting, and Simulation (ALWES) incorporates course material and methodology (e.g., mini Web sites illustrating the relevant technology, software simulations of experiments, and remote access experimental equipment) for active learning in wireless communications and systems, enhancing students’ comprehension and refining their technical writing and teamwork skills. (Marlin Mickle, Engineering and Michael Spring, Information Sciences, 2004) Integrating Engineering Economic Analysis into the Engineering Curriculum provides a Web site designed to help integrate core curriculum competency across engineering disciplines and illustrates how redesigned courses can meet broader curricular goals. (Kim Needy and Karen Bursic, Engineering, 2002) New Discrete-Time Systems Laboratory provides a laboratory component for the Discrete-Time Systems (DTS) course, including state-of-the-art programming elements supporting Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and Digital Controls Systems (DCS), in order to give students enhanced understanding of computer architecture and portability issues in programming for target microprocessors. (Donald D. Harter, Engineering, UPJ, 2000) EnglishThe History of Childhood and Children’s Literature: An Interactive Web Site provides students with an annotated timeline, historical background, links to related sites, and various other information and materials on childhood and children’s literature. (Marah Gubar, English, 2004) Making Connections Through Common Concepts allows students and faculty alike to explore the idea of "community" through an interdisciplinary, collaborative project featuring guest speakers, a weekly seminar-style course, and an undergraduate conference. (David Champion, Administration of Justice, and Don Ulin, English, 2002) French and Italian Language and LiteratureWeb-Based Materials Development in French and Italian employs online digitized print, audio, and video resources, accessible in language labs, classrooms, and outside of class, to improve teaching and learning in introductory and intermediate language courses by exposing students to the naturalness of language and the cultural diversity of various regions. (Heather Allen and Veronica Dristas, French and Italian Languages and Literatures, 2003) Video Technology Enhancement for the Department of French and Italian uses a multistandard VCR and code free DVD that allow the recording and presentation of French films and television programs, enabling students to better recognize and analyze the politics, society, and culture of France today. (Phil Watts, French and Italian Languages and Literatures, 2001) Geology and Planetary ScienceA Revision of Geology Recitations Using Inquiry-Based Group Learning Exercises combines innovative, inquiry-based group learning exercises and problem sets, broadening students’ understanding of how the earth works and how to use the land through the resultant hands-on approach. (Charles E. Jones, Geology and Planetary Science, 2005) Classroom Earth: A Web-Based Inventory of Local Geologic Sites for Enhancement of Undergraduate Earth Science Curriculum features an easily accessible inventory of photos, site descriptions, and driving directions to local geologic sites, adding elements of field experiences to courses to enhance student learning. (Mark A. Evans, Geology and Planetary Science, 2002) Delivering the Earth: An Image Database Aimed at Teaching Undergraduates to Recognize Basic Geologic Features and the Processes They Represent consists of a Web-based database of geologic images that counteracts the limitations of in-class slide presentations, allowing students to view and review images on an as-needed basis. (Charles E. Jones, Geology and Planetary Science, 2001) Health and Rehabilitation SciencesAn Online Interdisciplinary Course on Electronic Health Record Technology, a new three-credit EHR course comprised of six distance education modules, uses patient case studies to enable students to analyze, evaluate, and apply real Electronic Health Record Technology systems. (Valerie Watzlaf, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, 2005) HistoryA New Introductory Global History Course employs advanced instructional technologies such as databases and the latest audio-visual materials to enable students to recognize history as the by-product of human decision making. (George Reid Andrews, Donna Gabaccia, Christin Gerlach, Richard Ostreicher, Evelyn Rawski, and Werner Troesker, History, 2005) History of Art and ArchitectureImproving Art and Architecture Education, Faculty and Library Partnerships in Instructional Technology Development renders accessible 1,500 annotated slides of the Chartres Cathedral, making these previously inaccessible images available to students, faculty, and researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and throughout the world. (Alison Stones, History of Art and Architecture and Edward Galloway, University Library Systems, 2004) Heian Japan and The Tale of Genji History, Literature, and Art in Japan: an Interdisciplinary Course: See East Asian Language and Literature. Art and Photography for HA&A Majors, with a New Darkroom Laboratory: Practice in Historic Photographic Camera Techniques is a newly developed capstone course that demonstrates the techniques of 19th century photography, stimulates critical thinking about the history of art and photography, and refines writing skills through analyses, observations and formal essays on early photography. (Aaron Sheon, History of Art and Architecture, 2003) Catalogue and Name 20,000+ Visual Scans for Digitized-Image Teaching consists of a catalogue of more than 20,000 digitally scanned images, allowing students in History of Art and Architecture courses to access slide collections dating back to 1925. (Franklin Toker, History of Art & Architecture, 2000) Information SciencesActive Learning with Writing, Experimenting, and Simulation (ALWES): See Engineering. Becoming an Information Critic: A Video Providing Students with the Fundamentals of Information Evaluation enables undergraduates to evaluate, apply, and cite Internet materials by providing a live-action video tutorial that is available both in-class and online and includes an instructor’s guide, an interactive quiz, and a Blackboard Web site. (Marian Hampton, University Library System and David Robins, Information Sciences, 2003) Educational Software for Learning Information Retrieval presents a series of interactive simulation and visualization tools that teach students how to design information retrieval systems by allowing them to construct queries, experiment with concepts, and view the results of their efforts. (Peter Brusilovsky, Information Sciences, 2003) Supporting Learning from Examples in a Programming Course is a Web-based database of interactive, self-explaining programming examples, enabling students to access them outside of class and also serving as a reusable resource supporting both students and faculty. (Peter Brusilovsky, Information Sciences, 2001) LinguisticsASL Goes Digital: Integrating Digital Movies in ASL Activities and Assessment overcomes the inflexibility and inaccessibility of VHS videotapes by employing digital video in the form of DVDs that can be manipulated and edited to enhance the presentation of American Sign Language (ASL) instruction as students study and practice signing more efficiently. (Dawn E. McCormick, Linguistics, 2002) Targeting technologically inexperienced international students, ESL Integrated Computer Skills Course synthesizes specially developed materials and redesigned curriculum, enabling these students to, among other things, word process, e-mail, research via the Internet, navigate online courses, and create spreadsheets. (Susanne McLaughlin, and Stephanie Maietta-Pircio, Linguistics, 2001) Visuals for Developing Communication Skills in Foreign Language Classes provides a CD-ROM and dynamic Internet database of more than 200 searchable visuals which enable language faculty to create practice activities involving realistic communication and assessment scenarios. (Paul Toth and Dawn McCormick, Linguistics, 2000) MathematicsTeaching Probability Theory as a Lab with Simulation and Symbolic Computation incorporates Maple, a licensed software package installed on the 24 mobile lab laptops, enabling students to perform simulations and symbolic computation and involved redevelopment of the Introduction to Probability course to seamlessly integrate computer use into the curriculum. (Dean E. Nelson, Mathematics, 2005) Development and Implementation of a Technical Speaking Course in Mathematics: See Communication. A Virtual Laboratory for Engineering and Mathematics integrates instructional materials for courses in linear algebra in mathematics and signal processing in engineering into a virtual library containing videos and tutorials. (Luis F. Chaparro, Engineering and Juan J. Manfredi, Mathematics, 2003) Introduction to Abstract Mathematics—Web Site offers an interactive instructional Web site targeting Pitt undergraduates and mathematically talented high school students, enabling them to explore the creation and logic of math proofs and also hone their skills for mathematics competitions. (Henry Cohen, Mathematics, 2000) MedicineWeb-Based Teaching Modules for Ambulatory Education builds on previously produced online modules and now consists of 20 new modules for residents and nurse practitioner students, standardizing their educational experiences and eliminating the duplication of faculty presentations. (Gary Tabas, Medicine, 2005) Creation of Education Pathology Modules Utilizing Virtual Slide Technology, Designed for Medical Students, Residents, and Fellows is an online database of over 5,000 annotated, digitized slides, providing virtually unlimited access to review, change magnification, and manipulate them without requiring access to a single- or double-head microscope. (Drazen M. Jukic, Medicine, 2004) Use of Teledermatology in Pediatric Medical Education now facilitates education in pediatric dermatology through remote electronic consultations with internationally recognized pediatric dermatologist Bernard Cohen of Johns Hopkins Hospital for Children. (Nader Shaikh, Phillip Kaleida, Alejandro Hoberman, and Dena Hofkosh, Medicine, 2003) The Virtual Slide Set—Interactive Digital Microscopy for Medical Students uses new Web-based slides to provide virtual microscopic technology for examining tissue samples, better enabling students to focus on specific slide details. (Rebecca S. Crowley, Medicine, 2002) Use of Digital Video Images to Teach and Assess Visual Diagnosis in Pediatrics utilizes new digital video media formats to create an interactive collection of infant development video case presentations, technology which enables students to develop and practice key skills. (Phillip H. Kaleida, Medicine, 2002) The Pallative Care Clinical Exercise (CEX) integrates training sessions and practice scenarios for medical students on how to conduct discussions with terminally ill patients to provide an experience-based educational intervention in which experienced faculty observe, evaluate, and give feedback to students and help them to develop key communication skills. (Paul Han and Robert Arnold, Medicine, 2002) Animated Psychiatree © augments classroom learning through a Web-based interactive learning tool featuring cartoon characters and sound in which animated “patients” move from symptoms to disorder, enabling students to visualize symptoms and understand concepts used in recognizing and diagnosing psychiatric illnesses. (Joseph Kithas and Gina Perez-Madrinan, Medicine, 2002) The Host Defense Trading Card Game features a set of computer-designed biomedical trading cards, with each card containing a scanning electron micrograph, which conveys an understanding of the principles and details of host defense and hematopoiesis. (Richard Steinman, Medicine, 2000) Development of a Computer-Based Aid for Evaluation of Student Performance provides a computer-based interface for critical care elective instructors using the Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine’s Human Simulator Facility, resulting in immediate and detailed reports of student performance for feedback and debriefing after simulated patient cases. (Randy Wax, Michael Pinsky, and Paul Rogers, Medicine, 2000) MusicPuppet Theater and Music of West Java, Indonesia: An Educational Multimedia Project on CD-Rom includes a multimedia CD-ROM focusing on the political and cultural complexities of Indonesian dance and song and will be incorporated into Music Cultures of the World, Music of Southwest Asia and Gamelan courses. (Andrew Weintraub, Music, 2001) NeuroscienceResource Center for Natural Sciences 1&2: See Chemistry. NursingPilot and Feasibility Study to Develop and Implement Clinical Application Lectures to Enhance Introductory Genetics Course Using Tegrity for Out-of-Classroom, On-Demand Viewing supplements Introductory Genetics course content by presenting videotaped lectures by seven or eight nationally recognized clinical experts who use genetics in their practices. (Yvette Conley, Nursing, 2003) Problem-Based Learning, a Teaching Strategy to Link Theory and Clinical Practice: A Pilot Study divides students in Nursing Management of Adults with Acute and Chronic Health Problems into two cohorts to compare the efficacy of traditional lecture-based instruction with instruction grounded on problem-based case scenarios. (Susan Albrecht, Nursing, 2001) Sustaining Independence through Robotic Applications for Community-Residing Frail or Disabled Adults integrates the educational experience of students in computer science and the health sciences through a robotics course requiring intensive, multidisciplinary teamwork; a seminar series featuring renowned guest speakers; and a project Web site to enable student-faculty interaction, to disseminate course project findings, and to highlight seminar content. (Judith Matthews, Nursing, and Sebastian Thrun, Co-director, Robot Learning Laboratory, CMU, 2001) PharmacyA Personal Response System for Active Learning equips three media-enhanced classrooms in Salk Hall with personal response systems (PRS) to increase the interaction between pharmacy students and faculty. (Michael Zemaitis, Gary Stoehr, Samuel Poloyac, and Teresa Donegan, Pharmacy, 2003) PhilosophyHumanities Common Text Project integrates selected humanities texts and special intradepartmental teaching strategies to create a community of students collectively engaged in broader intellectual, political, and social issues. (Mark D. McColloch, History, UPG and William Pamerleau, Philosophy, UPG, 2000) Physics and AstronomyDigital Video Demonstrations in Introductory Physics Courses consists of approximately 50 one- to two-minute video demonstrations clarifying such fundamentals as lab setup and experimental procedures which enable both students and TAs to focus on the essence of the experiment in lab and online. (Russell Clark, Physics and Astronomy, 2005) Physics Experiments with Applications in the Life Sciences, developed for use in Introduction to Laboratory Physics, includes five new experiments designed specifically to reinforce the relationship between physics and the life sciences. (Russell Clark, Physics and Astronomy, 2004) Interactive Response Systems for Physics and Astronomy Lecture Halls provides Student Interactive Response Systems (SRS) in the lecture halls in Thaw and Alumni Halls to actively engage students in large introductory classes. (Peter Koehler and Chandralekha Singh, Physics & Astronomy, 2004) Web-Based Video Tutorials for Enhancing Problem-Solving, Reasoning and Meta-Cognitive Skills of Introductory Physics Students presents a series of Web-based videos, viewed in either DVD or Internet formats, that take students step-by-step through problem-solving processes. (Chandralekha Singh, Physics and Astronomy, 2003) Resource Center for Natural Sciences 1&2: See Chemistry Web-Based Video Tutorials for Enhancing Problem Solving, Reasoning, and Meta-Cognitive Skills of Introductory Physics Students guides physics students through the often-difficult processes of solving problems through a series of interactive video modules, and serves as a model for other instructors who wish to integrate more problem solving into their own courses. (Chandralekha Singh, Physics and Astronomy, 2002) A Student Image Processing Lab at Allegheny Observatory provides an astronomical image processing lab consisting of five PCs networked with a server and a color laser printer and the facilities at Allegheny Observatory, allowing both science and nonscience students in the new Observational Astronomy Lab course to now undertake projects such as searches for supernovae in distant galaxies. (David Turnshek, Physics and Astronomy, 2001) Political ScienceDeveloping a Sense of Place: See Biological Sciences. PsychologyA Web-Based System for Reciprocal Evaluation of Student Paper Writing consists of a technology-supported method for reintroducing writing and reflection about writing into large lecture courses by incorporating peer evaluations and a complex accountability system to allow peer-given grades and fair feedback. (Christian Schunn, Psychology, 2002) Public HealthCommunity Health Needs Assessment: A Problem- and Computer-Based Interactive Learning Approach consists of interactive, computer-based learning modules incorporating digital videos, animated maps, and relevant images, enabling students to access, manipulate, analyze, and present community health data from multiple sources. (Ravi Sharma, Graduate School of Public Health, 2004) Social and Behavior Aspects of Public Health Practice: Planning and Implementation of Distance Learning employs a distance learning format for Social and Behavioral Aspects of Public Health Practice to create greater accessibility for adult learners. (Christine L. Pistella, Graduate School of Public Health, 2000) Social WorkClient Perceptions of Medication Treatment, Benefits, Side Effects, and Compliance: A Psychopharmacology Video for Social Workers presents a video examining how drugs are used to treat mental illness and highlights patients with a range of psychiatric disorders and substance abuse problems to illustrate ways to enhance health care professionals' roles in patient care. (Christina Newhill and Helen Cahalane, Social Work, 2002) Innovation in Field Education: Web-Based Integrative Seminar delivers to students in the School of Social Work both a Web-based resource page including, among other things, relevant social work materials and links; a “community” chat room; and a bulletin board for posting messages and assignments and sharing URLs and addresses, and an integrative seminar combining conceptual knowledge with real-life technical demands of students’ practicum experience. (Patricia Kolar and Kathryn Collins, Social Work, 2001) Studio ArtsDigital Imaging Initiative: A Project for Studio Arts Department Curricular Expansion and Enhancement expands the department’s Digital Studio with four additional computers, four flat-screen monitors, various software packages, a high resolution scanner, a large format color printer, and other equipment, and appropriate supplies, all of which advance the digital imaging and graphic design curricula. (Paul Glabicki and Bovey Lee, Studio Arts, 2001) University Library Systems (ULS)Improving Art and Architecture Education, Faculty and Library Partnerships in Instructional Technology Development: See History of Art and Architecture. Becoming an Information Critic: A Video Providing Students with the Fundamentals of Information Evaluation: See Information Sciences.
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