Universität Bielefeld       AG Praktische Informatik      D. Lorenz Homepage

The ViSeL Project

  Deutsche Version!

Multimedia technology, based on low-cost PC hard- and software, offers a chance to improve traditional academic education. As an interdisciplinary project between the Department of Genetics and the Department of Computer Science, the multimedia based CBT-Software ViSeL - Virtual Sequencing Laboratory - has been developed. The aim of this project is to offer an integrated solution for improving laboratory education through new media. The first use of ViSeL in higher education was in April 1997 in the Department of Genetic. The main expectations are a vast reduction of educational costs in an expensive field of laboratory training. Furthermore ViSeL can help to improve the quality of individual education, while at the same time overcrowded laboratories and seminars are relieved. Additionally, a better student preparation can help to reduce the danger of serious work accidents. Together computer based multimedia methods in laboratory education could spare resources in a humane, ecological and economic manner.

ViSeL is in educational use at the University of Bielefeld and at more then 40 German secondary schools since 1997.

Here is a short description about the project.

ViSeL - An interactive course in DNA Sequencing

Professional laboratory training in the scope of DNA-Sequencing is very expensive, time consuming and even dangerous. ViSeL is an attempt to teach novices the main working steps of the complete DNA-Sequencing-Procedure or just, refresh existing experience. The main target group of this software project are students at University level, who just started learning the different methods of gene manipulation and sequencing techniques.


ViSeL - A combination of tutorial and simulation environment

Various learning theories, topics with interdisciplinary content, different types of scientific knowledge and object oriented modular programming brought about the realization of two main modules: The Simulation Environment (The Virtual Laboratory) and the Tutorial Section. These two components are supported by a multimedia database which can be accessed directly from either lab or tutorial. All modules are implemented using Asymetrix' authoring software "Toolbook".

The tutorial section

Within the tutorial section the user acquires fundamental, methodical, biochemical and technical knowledge required for the work in both, the virtual and the real laboratory. This program part can be compared to a page orientated hypertext book which supports explorative or guided navigation. It is divided into four main chapters and a multimedia glossary:

1. An Introduction to the ViSeL-CBT-Software: In this chapter the user gets a general idea of the aim and the contents of the ViSeL-Software.

2. The Fundamentals of Molecular Genetics: Within this chapter the user learns about the chemical structures and mechanisms taking place in living cells.

3. The Sanger Sequencing Procedure: In this chapter the user gets an insight into the chain termination method developed by Frederik Sanger.

4. The ALFexpress Sequencer: This chapter deals with operating and handling the Automated Laser Fluorescence Express Sequencer.

5. Multimedia Glossary: Another useful feature is the multimedia glossary  that can be accessed from any module at any time. The glossary includes multimedia entries providing biochemical and biotechnological facts in a rather declarative way. Future database updates are easy to handle.
 

Screenshots (Click to enlarge) :
 

Fig.1: Interactive Code-Sun
 

Fig.2: Gelelectrophoresis
 

Fig.3: ALFexpress Sequencer
 

Fig.4:  Glossary
 

Die Simulationsumgebung - Das Virtuelle Labor
 
 

Abb.5: Estimation of DNA quantity - on Video or virtual
 

Abb.6: Results of the Sequencing Procedure
 

The Virtual Laboratory

If we regard the human learning process as an active interaction with the environment, simulation tools can serve as an effective means of knowledge impartation. The ViSeL simulation environment makes it possible to carry out the complex course of DNA-Sequencing in a realistic manner. Within this virtual scene students get an impression of real laboratory work by interacting with typical laboratory instruments. Moreover a series of videoclips visualize real routine work. Here the students can put the knowledge they acquired in the tutorial part into practice . The complete DNA sequencing process is divided into three main steps:

I. The Isolation of DNA.

II. The Preparation of DNA.

III. The Sequencing of DNA using the ALFexpress Sequencer.

Prospect

Laboratory experiments in biology, chemistry and medicine afford an enormous use of financial and ecological resources concerning chemicals and technical equipment. Furthermore a non proper usage of partly high toxic chemicals and complex technical instruments often cause serious working accidents. As a consequent solution virtual laboratory environments like the ViSeL-CBT-Software have to be developed and set into educational practice. This kind of educational tool can also be relevant for producers of complex technical instruments. For our future plans we consider the ViSeL-CBT-Software as a first step into systematic generic construction of virtual laboratories for different scientific fields.
 

Field Test and Evaluation

The first field test of ViSeL in April 1997 has proved that the interaction design of ViSeL is very intuitive and easy to handle. Students had no problems manipulating and handling the laboratory module.

Sponsoring

From  September 1997 - Oktober 1999 the ViSeL project was sponsored by  Kompetenznetzwerk Universitätsverbund Multimedia NRW.

Awards

The raw design of the ViSeL-program was the winner of the LEARNTEC 95 contest in Karlsruhe, Germany.

In October 1996 the ViSeL-Project was chosen as a finalist in the category Universities and Multimedia Schools in the European Competition for Educational Multimedia Software.
 

ViSeL System Requirements

IBM compatible,
Min. Pentium 133
32 MB Memory
Windows 9x/2000/NT
Min. 16x CDROM
SVGA - 1024x768 Pixel, 16 Bit color depth
16 Bit Soundcart, Soundblaster compatibel.

Demoversion and Sales

ViSeL is a product of the label logisch-lernsysteme.

Here you can get the ViSeL-Demo (German Version)!

Click here for sales information (German Version)!
 

Dieter Lorenz, Robert Giegerich, Chris Schleiermacher
Postfach 100 131, D-33501 Bielefeld, Germany
Phone +49 521 1062956, Fax +49 521 1066411

© GLS/11/2000