DOCUMENTATION
Welcome to the MotorLab software – we hope you will enjoy using this product. Once you have installed the software correctly, each lab can be selected from the drop down menu on the main screen (see image below).
PREFERENCES
Clicking on the "gear" icon in the upper right corner of the main MotorLab app screen will bring up a "preferences" window where you can customize your preferred language (currently only English or French), preferred keyboard layout. and select a different theme / colour scheme. You can also select data file output format. You may select "Plain Text (.txt)", which is the default and is compatible with the Excel templates and resources, or you may instead select "Comma Separated Values (.csv)" which may be easier for some individuals to open with office productivity software. Finally there is an option to select the "new" format .csv that is optimized for statistical analysis using various software packages.
Here you can also edit the course code and section that was previously input. Under the course information pane there is a checkbox that will allow you to opt in (checked) or opt out (unchecked) of sending anonymous (de-identified) performance data from your lab results back to MotorLab, There is no way to identify any individual from the data that is sent back, and the data is only used to create "population" normative data sets - that is comparison data that can be used to compare your individual data against what a larger data sample shows (see Data Usage for more information)
Finally, if the "the sample data" checkbox at the bottom left is checked, an option to download sample lab data becomes available on the home page of the MotorLab app. This will allow you to download a random sample dataset if necessary.
DATA OUTPUT (local computer)
For most labs, the instruction panel has control parameters in grey text at the bottom of the screen. These allow you to customize your labs and change variables such as the number of trials, testing blocks, error tolerance, reaction time cutoff, etc. Please note that the Excel Data Analysis Resource files are designed for the lab defaults and any changes to these values may require modification of the Excel sheet and graph.
Upon completion of each lab, you will be prompted to save the results in a text datafile on your computer. Note that you cannot overwrite datafiles with the same name, so if you run the lab multiple times you will need to either delete the old datafile, or give the new datafile a different name (e.g., “version2”). Most data files contain multiple dependent measures such as reaction time, error score, movement time, etc., and typically include both trial-by-trial data and mean values. Note that when responses are labelled as correct or not, they are coded as either a “1” for correct and “0” for error.
DATA OUTPUT (cloud)
For most labs, upon completion of the lab your data will be automatically synched to our cloud server (unless you opt out in the settings, see below). The data will be associated with a randomly generated user ID and your course/section code so you can view it later if necessary.
Data Retrieval (cloud)
To download data for most labs click on the cloud icon in the top right hand corner of the main app. A dialog box as shown below will open, Here you can choose which lab to download data from.
You can also select whether you want all trials, or just means for each user. Then you can select whether you want just your own data, your course/class data, or All available data for that lab. If you select "My class data" you will see a dialog asking you to confirm your course code and section (optional). You will then be prompted to provide a location to save the data file.
The format of the .csv data file that is provided from the cloud server is either single trial or mean data for a single lab, in a format that is suitable for statistical analysis: This includes headings for SubjectID, Course/sectionID, conditions/blocks, and outcome (e.g. reaction time, correct response, etc.). Note that when responses are labelled as correct or not, they are coded as either a “1” for correct and “0” for error.
Data Retrieval (local computer)
If you accidentally delete your data file you can still access it be pressing the "Files" icon in the top right corner of the main app. A dialog box will open as shown below asking you to select a lab data file. Once you click "OK" you will be prompted to provide a location to save the data file.
LAB TEACHING RESOURCES
There are more than 27 labs in total and each lab has the following ancillary materials:
- Lab Instruction PowerPoint document that provides learning outcomes, a brief background on the lab topic, and instructions pertaining to data collection and analysis.
- Lab Activity Word document that can be used as a template for your lab assignment, including an Introduction, Results, and Discussion section.
- Data Analysis Excel document that includes a raw data sheet you can cut and paste raw data from the exported datafile and create graphs, as well as a blank graph you can use for your students, if completing labs using pen and paper.
- Lab Activity Answer Key that provides sample answers to the Discussion questions.
- Lab Activity Sample Quiz questions and answers that you can use to test your student’s understanding of the lab topic.
Note: Resource materials are available for instructors only Upon Request:
FEEDBACK
We welcome your feedback on the MotorLab program, which may include bug fixes or suggestions for future lab activities. Please Contact Us to provide any feedback.