Peer Review

The Virtual Genetics Education Centre

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Dec 7, 2020 by Health Sciences

Bookmark

Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

The Virtual Genetics Education Centre (VGEC) is an award winning hub of evaluated genetics-related resources for teachers in schools and higher education, health professionals, and the general public. It covers all aspects of genetics, including information about simple DNA experiments suitable for all ages, tutorial materials, videos on useful techniques, and links to other evaluated resources.

Type of Material:

Learning Object Repository
Resources/links for classroom use, lectures, PowerPoint, tutorials, case studies

Recommended Uses:

Can be used as an addition to material in classroom, as home work for student practice, to add to LMS for student use, could be used with face-to-face or online instruction and as a self-paced tool.

Technical Requirements:

Java, Flash, and other plugins as needed by specific online resource. Site worked in Chrome and Internet Explorer.

Identify Major Learning Goals:

It covers all aspects of genetics, including information about simple DNA experiments suitable for all ages, tutorial materials, videos on useful techniques, and links to other evaluated resources.

The user can access material to use in class or as assignments for students. Genetics and Genomic information is available through many resources.

Target Student Population:

Grade School, Middle School, High School, College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Graduate School, Professional

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

Basic biology vocabulary would be helpful but not necessary.

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

This is a great resource for students and faculty to explore genetic information. The resources within the site are easily accessible and are valid and reliable upto date information.

Concerns:

No concerns were found with content quality. Could add audio, but this might impact the user experience with slow loading.

News and events is not updated, information from 2016

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

There are some assessments that could be used for assessment or concept reinforcement practice.

The search feature works well.

A glossary is included.

Excellent graphics.

Can be used in a variety of ways with learning and assessment.

This would be a good source to gather information as a lecturer, or to assign students to explore and bring back facts to class. Could be used at different levels of education from elementary through graduate. Graduate education may be able to contribute to the research.

Concerns:

There is a lot of information and many resources. Many be overwhelming for students without faculty guidance in the lower grade levels.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: The site is web based. Very easy to navigate. It is well organized and links work well. Loads quickly. The site is engaging and attractive to the eye, and includes access to other related topics that is very easy to use.
Concerns:: We wish that the events were updated where applicable.

Other Issues and Comments:: This looks like it would be a great resource for teachers and students. Maintaining the information on the site, and updating the information as needed may be difficult with new leadership.
Creative Commons: