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Using Biology Labs Online: The Basics

1. Before you get started, please check the Issues and Workarounds for ways to overcome the minor glitches introduced by using CheerpJ to convert these applets from Java to Javascript.
   
2. To access one of the labs, select its button from the list on the left of the home page of this site.
   
3. Once you get to the lab, read the Introduction, Objectives, and Prerequisites for each lab. You may also need to read the Background material to review important concepts behind the lab. Each lab has Assignments; your instructor should tell you which Assignments you are to complete. YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPTS BEHIND EACH LAB ONLY BY WORKING ON ASSIGNMENTS.
   
4. Each lab is a simulation of a real-life situation where you will be making choices about certain information and running experiments. The simulations are also referred to as applets, or small applications.
   
5. Click “Start Lab” to enter the lab and begin working with the simulation.

Exporting Graphs

In many of the applets, you can save data and graphical outut using an Export button. The data or graphs will appear in a new browser window. You must configure your browser to allow pop-ups. You can enable all pop-ups for the Biology Labs Online using the Settings feature for your browser and adding ScienceCourseware.org to the list of website exceptions pop-up blocking.

Saving Notebook Data

In order to save the data you generate in Biology Labs Online, you will need to export it; that is, move it out of the lab or the notebook onto your local drive.

1. Click on the Export button in the Notebook.
2. After you click Export, your notes are moved into the browser window. If you wish to save the document to a location other than the desktop, choose the drive and/or directory, then save the file. Alternately, you can copy/paste the data from the browser window into a word processing document.

MERLOT

The Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching (MERLOT) is an online community for instructors utilizing technology in their curriculum. In addition to member profiles, MERLOT contains a searchable collection of learning modules, papers, tutorials, and technical support tools which instructors can use in their own classes. Instructors and developers can add resources to MERLOT, and reviews, pedagogical examples, technical notes, and other information can be added to the resources.