This virtual lab from The Genetics Science Learning Center features a tutorial and interactive simulation that teaches students how to create and run a gel electrophoresis experiment. The simulation takes students through the entire process, from creating the gel, to loading the samples, and analyzing the results. The interactive features of the simulation make this a great alternative to a tradtional gel lab or can be used as a precursor for a live gel lab. This material is appropriate for high school and introductory college level biology courses.
Type of Material:
Simulation, Tutorial
Recommended Uses:
Can be used in class as a demonstration before a live lab, as an alternative to a live lab, or assigned as homework.
Technical Requirements:
Flash required, current web browser
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Understand the basic principles of gel electrophoresis.
Learn about techniques and equipment used in biology laboratories.
Target Student Population:
Middle School, High School, College General Ed, College Lower Division.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
A basic knowledge of lab equipment and techniques is helpful, but not necessary.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
Clear instructions are given on how to set up and run a gel electrophoresis lab.
Animations used in the simulation are visually appealing and illustrate the concept well.
Highly interactive and engaging for students.
Concerns:
The simulation does not enable users to skip ahead to practice certain techniques or review parts of the material. You must start at the beginning every time you use the virtual lab.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
Background information is provided before the virutal lab simulation to explain how DNA fragments can be separated by size.
The virtual lab simulation is interactive - each step in the process requires an action on the part of the student.
All of the materials and equipment used in the virtual lab are clearly labeled and easy to identify.
A thorough explanation is given at each step.
Concerns:
I am not sure about the value of virtual labs in which the interactivity consists of only one possible interactive event at each step, which could seem tedious to some users
Critical thinking is not included in this simulation (it is a lab technique, but certainly more logical processing could be included)
The cartoons were not very sophisticated and I am not sure that someone who has never seen a gel rig, a micropipettor, etc. would be able to makes sense of the technique
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The tutorial and simulation are easy to use and navigate.
The material is engaging and interactive.
The material is self-contained with clear instructions.
Concerns:
Consider adding narration to enhance accessibility.
Creative Commons:
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