Department Spotlight - Chemistry and Physics

Professor Deanna Warner from Salem State’s chemistry department has incorporated iPads and Evernote into the lab component of the undergraduate biochemistry program, producing promising results. Located on the fifth floor of Meier Hall in north campus, the chemistry labs are far from the hustle and bustle below, creating a dedicated environment where the department’s professors and students can focus on their work. Since 2007, the chemistry department has grown from 50 students to over 150 chemistry majors today. The introduction of new technology and superior instruction promises to further increase the chemistry department’s appeal to prospective students.

Superior instruction comes from superior professors. Deanna Warner, an experienced biochemist by education and trade, came to Salem State in 2007 to teach biochemistry. Despite the consistent growth of the program, professor Warner noticed that it did not include proficiencies she knew were expected in scientists working in commercial labs. The technology gap stood out in particular. The curriculum lacked a method of offering experience with tools and techniques that professional labs required of their workers. Professor Warner realized that the technology used by lab technicians in day-to-day work could be incorporated into her labs. The problem was that she needed to find technology that was similar to the tools of the industry, but simple and affordable enough to bring into a classroom. The solution turned out to be iPads running a popular, powerful and free note-keeping app called Evernote.

The iPads, subsidized by the chemistry department, are lent to the few students permitted to take the class. Students are also welcome to use their own tablet computer if they already own one. Unlike the linear, unengaging black and white lab books, Evernote is a dynamic, adaptable tool that allows students to review and express their work in more ways than just putting pen to paper. Evernote grants students the freedom make charts and other visuals, record searchable notes, and organize their materials using tags or folders, essentially making it impossible to misplace a page or handout. Evernote is also supplemented by other applications on the iPad including Safari, Canvas, Numbers, Paper53, and the iPad’s camera.

To gauge the effectiveness of Evernote as an electronic laboratory notebook (ELN), professor Warner conducted a survey. Professor Warner states in her survey results that “prior to this experience, 94% of the students had no experience using ELN software, 87% had no experience using Evernote and 38% had no experience using iPads.” Students gained instrumental experience and knowledge needed to compete for jobs. What’s more, the objectives of the program were accomplished quickly, affordably, and with relative ease, meaning that it could be implemented in other departments in Salem State and other institutions. To professor Warner’s knowledge, there are no other programs in the U.S. that include ELN training, making her work at Salem State a unique benefit to the university’s biochemistry program.

Following the success of this year’s ELN-based lab instruction, professor Warner is taking a sabbatical to develop the program further. She plans to write formal ELN lab books for both students and instructors, and will be discussing her program at various educational conferences.