Peer Review

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EvoTutor

Reviewed:	Jun 25, 2002 by Biology Editorial Board
Overview:	This site contains a set of java applets designed to teach students basic concepts in evolution through investigation of the relationships between the appropriate variables in each concept. The applets may either be used as online simulations or be downloaded as offline applications. Completed simulations include. Statistics, Natural Selection, Mutation, Gene Flow, Genetics, Reproduction, Genetic Drift, and Speciation. Adaptation is available only in the offline application. Extinction, Phylogenetics, and Sexual Selection are not yet available. Each simulation provides basic background information, the simulation with a description of the equation(s) on which the simulation is based, and suggested parameter settings to yield interesting results. A page with selected links to is available. There is a small set of problems based on the materials with built-in special purpose calculators for assistance. Two companion sites are planned?PhyloTutor and GenTutor.
Learning Goals:
Target Student Population:	Advanced high school to college
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Type of Material:	Simulation
Recommended Uses:
Technical Requirements:	HTML, java runtime environment (JRE 1.3), Downloadable version requires Java 2.

Rating:

Strengths:

Quality of Content Ratings: (4.0) (4.0) = 4.0

Feature of Excellence:

Investigative approach to understanding concepts
Descriptions of the background of the concepts is clear and helpful
Display of results of simulation available in a variety of modes?scatter
diagram, table, graphs as appropriate
A quantitative approach?equations used in simulation provided where
appropriate

Concerns:

Quantitative approach may be too in depth for non-science majors
Graphics occasionally difficult to interpret
A way to make explicit the reasons for the suggested parameter settings
would be helpful to make these materials more useful to independent students
For the offline application, more information on how the simulations work
would be helpful. There is discussion of models that track individuals through
the course, but it is not clear what this is.

Rating:

Strengths:

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching-Learning Tool Ratings: (4.0) (4.5) =
4.25

Feature of Excellence:

Downloadable version provides practice problems and means to check answers
to problems
Provides pictorial view of changes to variables as they occur
Allows students to investigate one part of the process at a time and observe
the relationships
Selected links to other pages that reference EvoTutor plus two links to
comprehensive evolution resources
Use of a random number generator in simulations gives different results with
each iteration.

Concerns:

Needs additional background information with guided assignment for best
results
Several simulations not complete
It will sometimes be difficult for students to interpret what the various
graphs are representing; more explanation of the graphical results would be
helpful

Rating:

Strengths:

Ease of Use Ratings: (4.5) (4.5) = 4.5

Feature of Excellence:

Choice of online simulation or downloadable application
Online version can be run within browser or separate applet viewer
Each simulation provides suggested parameters for investigating concept
Layout is consistent and easy to understand
Easy to contact author
Downloadable version was easy to download and run; this version runs much
faster

Concerns:

Quantitative approach limits audience
More comprehensive background information would make site more generally
useable
Help menu for downloadable version provides no actual help in running
simulations
Sometimes suggested values for parameters could not be used because they are
outside to allowable values as determined by the sliders

Other Issues and Comments:

Overall Rating: (4.2) (4.33 ) = 4.25

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