User:Matchwiki/LabPaqs/

Overview
Hands-On Labs, Inc(HOL) is a science education company that develops, produces, and distributes LabPaqs® in Denver, Colorado. LabPaqs are boxed collections of science materials used primarily by higher education students. Students using a LabPaq to satisfy the laboratory component of their online lab science courses receive transferable course credit. Over 80 different LabPaqs covering 200+ experiments are available in Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics, Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Environmental, and Forensic Science. LabPaqs allow students to do at home the same science experiments performed on campuses, using the same types of chemicals, specimens, supplies, lab reports and assessments. LabPaqs also contain a contents list, a lab manual on a CD, compact lab equipment, and course appropriate personal protection items (gloves, mask, and goggles).

LabPaqs employ green, micro-scale science techniques that utilize only the small amounts of chemicals and materials required to complete each manual’s science experiments. LabPaqs are insured, have a 15-year, 100% safety record, and can be legally shipped almost anywhere in the world. By adopting a LabPaq like a textbook, educators can provide rigorous, college-level "wet" lab experiences to both online and on-campus students.

Instructors list LabPaqs in their syllabi as part of the course requirements and students buy the assigned LabPaq online at the LabPaq website. Online lab science courses using LabPaqs are most often taken at community colleges, technical colleges, and other two-year programs. University students and home schooled students also use LabPaqs. Over 100 institutions are current LabPaq adopters. These include Ocean County Collegein New Jersey and the 14 institutions affiliated with the consortium of Colorado Community Colleges Onlinein Colorado.

The company’s founders are retired college professors who pioneered the new field of academically aligned, single student, single use LabPaqs with a mission to improve science literacy. Company president and CEO, Linda Jeschofniq has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Women Owned Businesses in Colorado (#78 for 2008). An expert in distance science learning, she is currently writing a book entitled, "Teaching Lab Science Courses Online - It Can Be Done!" that will be published in 2010 by Jossey-Bass, A Wiley Imprint.

In March 2009, HOL entered into an alliance with McGraw-Hill Higher Education to offer their science texts packaged with LabPaqs at net savings to students. Distance learning continues to grow with institutions increasingly offering online courses. By allowing lab science courses to be taught fully online, LabPaqs effectively support the online education trend and help to promote science literacy in the world. Hands-On Labs and LabPaqs are featured in articles published in The Denver Post, Inside Higher Education, Education News, Community College Times, and others. Hands-On Labs, Inc. is a 2009 Award Winner of “Colorado Companies to Watch,” sponsored by The Edward Lowe Foundation and the Colorado Economic Development Council and International Trade.

Conference and Education Symposium LabPaq Presentations
Many experienced online science educators have presented their expertise, best practices, related research, and use of LabPaqs at industry conferences. Some 2009 presentations include:

Sloan C International Symposium 2009 – Emerging Technology Applications for Online Learning, San Francisco CA

''Workshop Title: The Missing Link in Science Education: Strategies, Options and Practice of Moving Laboratories Online. ''

Presenters:

•	Devon Cancilla, Western Washington University •	Simon Albon, University of British Columbia •	Erin Macri, Instrumentation Specialist, Scientific Technical Services •	Jennifer Dixey, Integrated Laboratory Network •	Ron Krempasky, Hands-on Labs Inc.

Human Anatomy & Physiology Society 2009 Conference – Chart Your Course, Baltimore MD

''Workshop Title - Change Has Come – Now YOU Can Teach A&P Fully Online (Page 47). ''

Presenters:

•	Nahel Awadallah, Johnston Community College •	Penny Perkins‐Johnston, California State University San Marcos •	Ron Krempasky, Hands‐On Labs, Inc. •	Andrea Mayer, WolfVision

The League for Innovation in the Community College 2009, Reno, NV

''Presentation Title: Challenges and Solutions for Online Lab Science Courses (Stream 1). ''

Presenter:

•	Peter Jeschofnig, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Colorado Mountain College

National Institute for Staff & Organizational Development 2009, Austin TX

''Presentation Title:  Comparing and Assessing Online vs. On-campus Lab Science Courses (Program Strand: Culture of Evidence). ''

Presenter:

•	Peter Jeschofnig, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Colorado Mountain College

Instructional Technology Council – eLearning 2009, Portland OR

''Presentation Title: Online Science Courses: What Works, What Doesn’t, and What is Needed? (Page 29).''

Presenters:

•	Kathy Carrigan, Chemistry Instructor, Portland Community College •	Frank Granshaw, Geology Instructor, Portland Community College •	Carol Handy, Chemistry Instructor, Portland Community College •	Ron Krempasky, Vice President of Academic Relations, Hands-On Labs, Inc.

Texas Distance Learning Association 2009 Conference, Corpus Christi TX

Presentation Title: Expanding Opportunities for Teaching College Science Courses.

Presenter:

•	Travis Duncan, Chemistry Instructor, Trinity Valley Community College

Distance Learning Trends
According to a report from the Sloan Consortium entitled “Staying the Course – Online Education in the United States – 2008,” Distance Learning continues to grow at a substantial rate  They estimate that over 20% of all U.S. higher education students were taking at least one online course in the fall of 2007. This report also states that the 12.9% growth rate for online enrollments far exceeds the 1.2% growth of the overall higher education student population. Lab science courses have been slower than other disciplines to be offered online. This fact is primarily due to educator concerns over how to provide the necessary hands-on “wet lab” experiences students require to effectively learn science. LabPaqs, initially developed in 1994, specifically address this issue.

This concern is dissipating as growing numbers of education institutions, primarily community colleges and other two year institutions, successfully offer online lab science courses using LabPaqs. There are several reasons for this shift in academic delivery:

Budget Cuts. Many institutions are facing major budget issues requiring staff cuts, reductions in the number of lab science section being offered, and the reallocation of precious lab time to graduate level courses. Some institutions with plans to build more “brick and mortar” lab facilities have been forced to cancel or put those plans on hold. Depressed Economy. The current high unemployment rate has stimulated those out of work to seek new or improved job skills. The rising cost of gasoline and transportation expenses makes people less inclined to drive to a campus to fulfill their course and lab requirements. Those with families want to avoid child care expenses often required for them to take a campus based course.

Convenience. Adult learners who are working and have family and community obligations recognize the convenience of an online class with a lab they can perform within their own timeframes. They greatly prefer flexible online courses to the rigidly scheduled campus classes and lab sessions that interfere with their personal responsibilities.

Improved Technology. Computers with greater speed, capacity, and high level features are exceptionally affordable today. High speed broadband and wifi internet connections and are increasing available to the general public and support all the functions of effective online course management systems. Online instructors can now use interactive, multimedia and Web 2.0 technologies including video presentations, video/web conferencing, e-mail, discussion boards, Google Aps, Skype, and social media networking sites to make their courses more interesting and assessable to their students.

As the number of online lab science courses continues to trend upward, online science courses are becoming a larger component of the online course mix, so it is projected that LabPaq adoptions and usage will mirror this growth trend.

LabPaq Advantages
LabPaqs provide advantages to educators, institutions and students.

Educators who have transitioned from teaching on-campus to teaching online are using innovative pedagogical approaches and tools that provide them more time to enrich their courses. Instructors assign LabPaqs for introductory and first year lab science courses allowing them to eliminate the time, effort, and expense required to conduct a campus lab. This delivery method frees up limited campus laboratory space for advanced level and graduate courses. Many instructors enjoy the opportunity to teach diverse students from various geographic locations that they reach via online courses. By teaching online using LabPaqs, online instructors enjoy the convenience and minimized travel time and expenses. They also have more personal interactions and engagement with their students.

Institutions using LabPaqs can save significant dollars traditionally spent on laboratory staff and teaching assistants, chemicals, specimens, insurance, disposal fees, supply procurement, audits, and storage. Schools realize substantial savings by not having to build and maintain new lab facilities. Institutions offering sciences courses fully online retain existing students who require lab science courses. They can experience increased incremental enrollments and associated revenue. Institutions tracking online lab science course enrollments find many students are not from their local area or state. While traditional instructors are transitioning their teaching methods to accommodate online offerings, many institutions hire part-time adjunct professors with online teaching experience for less than they pay full time staff.

Students using LabPaqs benefit from traditional science laboratory experiences that fit their work and personal schedules. In addition, they save money in travel costs and other related expenses. Further, studies show that students using LabPaqs to perform their lab work independently do as well as, and often better than, students performing equivalent labs on campus. An Education Survey of more than 200 respondents shows that over 71 % of students have the opinion that LabPaqs deliver good economic value. They appreciate that LabPaqs provide the convenience and flexibility they require to reach their educational goals (98%). Study results reported that 91% of students using a LabPaq earned an A (64%) or B (27%) in their course.

Educator LabPaq Adoption Process

In order to provide a LabPaq for their students, an educator adopts a LabPaq for use in their course, just as they adopt a textbook. A lab science educator learns about LabPaqs at a conference presentation; at an exhibit or symposium; from a colleague or student; or after reading a print or online article. They contact the company’s Academic Relations Department and view details at the LabPaq website. They learn about the various LabPaqs, specific product details, safety issues, ordering procedures and policies, and other information. Normally, after determining an educator’s objectives and plans, the educator receives course specific LabPaq information and a PDF copy of an appropriate lab manual. As part of their evaluation, educators purchase an evaluation LabPaq to determine if its contents and experiments are appropriate for their class. The instructor, and sometimes others from their institution, participate in informational webinars, see a LabPaq presentation, and engage in a Q&A. These methods typically include discussions of best practices for online teaching methods; review of interactive, multimedia and Web2.0 tools used effectively by online instructors; and details related to LabPaqs usage.

If instructors want their students to use a LabPaq for their class, they adopt the LabPaq and assign it as a required item for their course. Students purchase assigned LabPaqs online, which ships the LabPaqs directly to them within 24 hours. Students who successfully complete an online lab science course using a LabPaq earn fully accredited and transferable course credits.

History
In 1994, Colorado Mountain College Chemistry Professor, Dr. Peter Jeschofnig responded to his students’ needs by creating a “ChemKit” containing all the equipment and supplies needed for them to perform their lab experiments at home. This unique ChemKit was so successful that he began to accommodate requests from colleagues to provide similar kits for their lab chemistry courses. Over the next fifteen years, Dr. Jeschofnig’s wife Linda, an accountant and business professor, established and expanded their niche business. She reached out to experienced and respected colleagues in other disciplines to develop more kits and related lab manuals. The company was named “At Home Science” and initially operated out of their garage in Glenwood Springs, CO.

In 1999 Linda found an insurance agent with a chemistry background who recognized the inherent safety of LabPaqs and was able to secure the liability insurance required to operate a full-fledged science company in a litigious society. This allowed the company to expand from a sole proprietorship with a handful of clients into a national corporation with a nationwide client base. In order to expand further, keep costs affordable for students, and still maintain reasonable profit margins, Linda next began sourcing materials in bulk from off shore suppliers. Recognizing the opportunity presented by the growth in distance learning and the huge potential for LabPaqs, Linda moved her office into a Denver, Colorado warehouse in 2006 and hired professional marketing and operational staff to help grow the business. That decision generated over 100% growth in sales revenues within two years and 400% growth in three years.

In early 2008, the company further evolved with a re-branding effort that resulted in a new name, Hands-On Labs, Inc. (HOL) and a focus on the product name, LabPaqs. In early 2009 a new website was launched to provide more information on product contents and the educator adoption process, as well as to facilitate streamlined ordering by students and institutions. In March 2009, HOL announced a strategic alliance with McGraw Hill Higher Education to offer bundled text, media and LabPaqs to students at a discounted rate. On May 1, 2009, HOL quadrupled its size by moving into a 28,500 square foot facility in Englewood, CO. The facility’s ample office and warehouse space enables the company to hire more staff, ship more LabPaqs, and even conduct teacher training symposiums to promote the effective teaching of online science courses.

Revenue for 2009 is projected to double from the previous year with sales of an estimated 20,000 LabPaqs. In 2009, Linda Jeschofnig was honored as one of the Top 100 Women-Owned Businesses in conjunction with the Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce. Hands-On Labs, Inc. was recognized as a one of the “Colorado Companies to Watch”, an award sponsored by the Edward Lowe Foundation and presented by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. LabPaqs were featured in an article on the front page of the business section of The Denver Post and covered as a lead article in Inside Higher Education.

Ownership
Hands-On Labs, Inc. is a privately held corporation with its headquarters and manufacturing facility located in Englewood, Colorado (Denver Metro Area). It is a woman-owned business with primary ownership held by company President and CEO, Linda Jeschofnig. Her husband, Dr. Peter Jeschofnig is a minority shareholder and the company’s Director of Research and Development.

Bios
Linda Jeschofnig, president and CEO of Hands-On Labs, Inc. is recognized as an industry leader in online learning and in promoting online science education. As a result of her leadership, in May 2009 her company was recognized as a “Colorado Companies to Watch” by the Colorado Department of Economic Development and International Trade and the Edward Lowe Foundation. She was also honored one of the Top 100 Women-Owned Business in Colorado in conjunction with Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce. Prior to HOL, Linda worked for Gulf Oil Corporation; Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Company Copartners; and for Colorado Mountain College as an adjunct professor of business, accounting, economics, and marketing. Additionally, she has been active in school and community efforts where she has lived and has been engaged in a variety of philanthropic and leadership activities. While living abroad, Jeschofnig, served as an officer in various charitable organizations and was instrumental in raising over $100,000 for the blind in Tunisia where she also acted as the interim director of the American Cooperative School of Tunisia. Jeschofnig, taught ESL for the American Embassy in Madagascar. She conducted Quality Teaching faculty development programs for the Commercial College in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She also assisted in the organization of the Ethiopian Accounting Society and was the keynote speaker at its inaugural meeting in 1995. For over 15 years Linda organized and conducted academic Study Abroad and Great Travels tours all over the world for Colorado Mountain College students and community leaders. As an alumnus of Central Rockies Leadership, she helped organize leadership forums for community members. Although not officially a Rotarian, she actively supports and participates in Rotarian projects with her husband who is currently serving as a District Governor for Rotary International. Her involvement in Rotary projects has included supervision of the Melghat Project to relocate displaced peasants in India and numerous years of involvement with Rotary Youth Exchange, Rotary Leadership Youth Awards, and Rotary’s Ambassadorial Scholarship Program. Jeschofnig is an active supporter of organizations that help young women develop their full potential including the Child’s River Bridge Project, Planned Parenthood, and Girls, Inc. Jeschofnig holds a BBA in Accounting from the University of Houston and an MS in Business Management from Regis University. Jeschofniq is also an inactive Certified Public Accountant.

Peter Jeschofnig, PhD is Professor Emeritus of Chemistry and Physics with Colorado Mountain College, an adjunct Physics professor for CCC-Online, Co-Founder of Hands-On Labs, Inc. which produces LabPaqs, plus Founder and Director of the non-profit Institute for Excellence in Distance Science Education (IEDSE). Dr. Jeschofnig obtained undergraduate degrees in geology and general sciences at West Texas State and graduate degrees in Geology and Anthropology, including a PhD in Archeology, from Southern Methodist University. He subsequently earned Masters’ degrees in Chemistry, Physics and Science Education plus he completed a Doctorate in Adult Science Education at Colorado State University.

Dr. Jeschofnig’s illustrious academic career includes 20 years at Colorado Mountain College where he taught Environmental Science, Anthropology, Chemistry, and Physics at CMC’s Leadville and Glenwood Spring Campuses. He also served as head of the Environmental Science-Water Quality Program in Leadville and as the Head of the CMC’s District-wide Science Department. Dr. Jeschofnig was named Colorado's Distance Educator of the Year in 2001 and honored by CMC as Faculty Member of the Year in 1994 and again in 2007. He has also been recognized by Colorado Community Colleges Online as a Gold Medal Faculty Member. Dr. Jeschofnig was awarded two Fulbright Professorships, one with Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia (1994-1995) and one at the University of Namibia in Windhoek (2003-2004).

Believing that effective science experimentation could be performed at home, Dr. Jeschofnig and his wife, Linda produced a unique micro-scale based chemistry kit for Dr. Jeschofnig’s students in 1994. The effectiveness of this kit soon had other professors asking to adopt it. Hands-On-Labs, Inc. (HOL) evolved from this initial effort and subsequent collaboration with distinguished science educators in other disciplines. The company now produces over 80 course-specific LabPaqs in various science disciplines.

Dr. Jeschofnig retired from Colorado Mountain College in July 2007. He now serves as Director of Research for Hands-On Labs and is responsible for the academic integrity of all content, materials and equipment for LabPaqs. Dr. Jeschofnig is the Director and Founder of IEDSE, an organization he founded to address a decline in science literacy by improving science teaching in conjunction with the advancement of technology delivery methods. The organization provides information and guidance to instructors who are just embarking on online science course delivery, provides a forum for experienced online science educators, and provides scholarships for these educators to share their knowledge at industry events. He is a recognized expert in the area of online science education and a frequent speaker at science and distance learning conferences. Dr. Jeschofnig is also Rotary International’s 2009-2010 District Governor for District 5470.

Safety
Safety is an important issue that HOL takes very seriously. Safety standards and procedures are detailed in each LapPaq lab manual and on the company website. Students are instructed to always fully read and follow the lab manual’s safety instructions and to exercise care and caution when experimenting. LabPaqs are designed on the principles of micro-scale chemistry technology, which, in itself, is a material safety measure. Micro-scale techniques are specifically designed to provide a safe and environment-friendly method for performing scientific experiments. These techniques are extensively used in campus laboratories, as well as in distance education, because of their proven success in science education, their exceptional safety record, their ease of use, and their minimal impact on the environment. Every LabPaq has a related Material Safety Data Sheet. Each provides chemical, physical, health, and safety information on included chemical reagents plus information about how to handle store, transport, use, and disposal of chemicals in a safe manner.

The chemicals used in a typical micro-scale experiment are in very low molar concentrations and in very small quantities, averaging in the 0.5 to 5.0 mL range. Thus, hazardous chemical exposure is close to non-existent. However, students are still able to conduct traditional real-word science experimentation. The small quantities and unique packaging of diluted chemical utilized in LabPaqs, allow for full compliance with Department of Transportation and IATA regulations. As a result, Hands-On Labs ships LabPaqs legally and safely to science students all over the world.

To assure student safety, LabPaq experiments are intentionally designed to avoid extremely hazardous chemicals and chemicals in hazardous quantities or concentrations. The vast majority of chemistry experiments are inorganic, as relatively few organic experiments are safe for students to perform outside of a formal laboratory. Students are also provided with specific disposal instructions for all LabPaq materials.

Due to the minute quantities, low concentrations, and diluted and/or neutralized chemicals used in LabPaqs, the above described disposal methods are well within acceptable levels of disposal guidelines defined for the vast majority of local solid and wastewater regulations. However, since regulations can vary in some communities, students are advised to check with their area authorities to confirm that they are in compliance with local regulations and/or if they desire assistance with disposal.

Social Networking
HOL has established a LabPaq Science Educators Group on LinkedIn where instructors can review helpful tips and best practices as well as share expertise, suggestions, and solutions. HOL also participates in Facebook, Twitter, and Digg.