Peer Review

Human Anatomy On-Line

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Mar 31, 2016 by Biology

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: Human Anatomy On-Line is an interactive site that helps users learn about the human body systems and how they function. The site provides excellent animations that make the material helpful and engaging. An additional nice feature of the site is the ability to easily change anatomical systems and the angles. This is an interactive site depicting the 11 organ systems of the human body. Images and narrative descriptions are navigable with a mouse click and allows the user to interact with specific organ or structure within an organ. The site is a commercial site and advertisers help pay to the upkeep and maintenance but for a monthly fee, users can have access to a commercial-free web experience.
Type of Material:: The material is an interactive tutorial on the human body and its functions. Reference material, animation, simulation.
Recommended Uses:: This material is a great resource for independent studying or supplemental instruction. Homework, lecture, and lab supplement, or self-study.
Technical Requirements:: Basic Internet connection. The site is accessible on almost all browsers.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: There are no specific goals listed on the site. However, the major body systems are listed next to the animation of the human body, which convey the topics the user will learn about. Users of the site will learn about human anatomy and physiology, with information right at their fingertips.
Target Student Population:: Elementary, middle school, high school, undergraduate and graduate students as well as independent learners who are interested in learning human anatomy and some human physiology. Most appropriate for advanced high school students and college students.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: There are no prerequesites for the site, although background information on human anatomy and physiology would be beneficial to users. Also, familiarity with basic Biology vocabulary.

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

Interactivity keeps users interested in the material
The information is accurate and fairly interesting
The information is a comprehensive survey of what may be studied for this topic
At the time of this review, content of material is accurate and up-to-date
Animations are well done and show good detail
The topics are well-organized
The content is well organized and follows good pedagogy
Interactivity keeps users interested in the material

Concerns:

There were no concerns about content at the time of this review

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

The pedagogy of providing information is a nice blend of learning and interactivity
The learning experience is interesting
This is a unique way of learning
The blend of text and images makes the material interesting
The site provides links to other related online resources
Quality of graphics is good and provides enough detail for this level of understanding
Material builds upon knowledge in multiple ways depending on how users navigate through the site

Concerns:

The site does not permit the use of their content, however, if it is for strictly educational, not-for-profit purposes, they do in some cases allow the use of their content with permission

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:

Strengths:

The information is well organized
Navigation is fast and intuitive
No defective links or major bugs were found
Very easy to navigate to the different major sections of site
No defects were detected in the way the interactive lessons are presented
A video clip on how to use the resource is provided
There is direct link to social media sites that allow users to share the resource
There is an FAQ that lets the user know of the allowed and restricted use of the website information
Links to other related and recommended online resources are provided

Concerns:

There were no concerns about ease of use at the time of this review

Other Issues and Comments:: This is an excellent resource for learning the basics of human anatomy and physiology. There were no other issues at the time of this review.
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