Peer Review

Using DNA to Trace Human Migration | HHMI BioInteractive

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Reviewed:: Feb 15, 2022 by Biology

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

This is a "click and learn" presentation on tracing human migration out of Africa using DNA. Students use a guided worksheet to complement the presentation.

Type of Material:

Presentation.

Recommended Uses:

Can be used as an in-class assignment, as homework, or in online learning.

Technical Requirements:

Requires a browser such as Chrome or Firefox.

Identify Major Learning Goals:

To use DNA evidence to support the claim that all modern humans originated in Africa.
To explain the strengths and limitations of using DNA evidence to support human migrations.

Target Student Population:

High School, College General Ed, College Lower Division

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

A basic knowledge of biology and heredity would be useful but not necessary.

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

The graphs are good quality
The content summarizes the story of human migration out of Africa and subsequent diversification
The resource presents and summarizes the basic concepts of using DNA to map human migration and evolution

Concerns:

The content is out of date, with the most recent source from 2003
Some of the thinking on human migration and evolution has evolved significantly in the last 15 years
The content appears to rely solely on two sources (4 actual sources from two researchers)

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

Student learning goals are included
A PDF worksheet is provided to guide student learning
Links to related content such as videos, lessons, and activities are available
The resource is effective in conveying the major concepts involved in reconstructing human history and the origin of diversity using DNA

Concerns:

Since the thinking has changed in recent years, this resource does not provide an accurate or comprehensive analysis of human history
There is little interactivity in this resource

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:

Strengths:

All links are working.
Text and images are easy to read.
Presentation is easy to navigate with forward and back buttons.

Concerns:

No concerns.

Other Issues and Comments:: While the underlying concepts are solid in this resource, the content is out of date. For example, the introduction indicates there are 6 billion people on earch.
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