Peer Review

The Breathing Biosphere and Human Contribution

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Reviewed:: Dec 10, 2025 by Biology

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

In this Click & Learn, students explore factors that contribute to patterns seen in the Keeling Curve: a continuous record of atmospheric CO2 starting in 1958, as measured at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii. The Click & Learn includes the actual data from Mauna Loa. The first tab, "Natural Processes," focuses on the processes of respiration and photosynthesis. Students adjust parameters in a model of these processes to match the model with data from Mauna Loa. The second tab, "Human Contribution," shows the original data from Mauna Loa. Students adjust a human contribution parameter in the model to match the Keeling curve. The accompanying “Student Worksheet” guides students’ exploration. The “Educator Materials” document includes additional guidance and implementation suggestions.

Type of Material:

This is an H5P Interactive, which provides an excellent set of learning experiences about the biosphere and how human activity affects our planet.

Recommended Uses:

This site can be used individually, as a group project, or in the classroom.

Technical Requirements:

Technical requirements include access to the Internet, a browser such as Google or Firefox, and the ability to use the interactive lesson.

Identify Major Learning Goals:

Students will learn what is respiration, photosynthesis and biosphere.
Students will be able to explore the effect of carbon dioxide.
Students will be able to apply the knowledge and skills to compare respiration and photosynthesis.
Students will be able to explain and analyze how change in carbon dioxide level impacts the biosphere.
Students will understand the role played by natural processes and human contributions in carbon dioxide level .

Target Student Population:

The target population includes High School and College students.

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

Some basic scientific knowledge is needed to understand what is presented.

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

The content is well organized and follows good pedagogy
The information about atmospheric changes is accurate and up-to-date
Users will gain a better appreciation of how human activity affects the biosphere
Quality of graphics is good
The information is accurate and fairly interesting

Concerns:

The lecturing material is primarily with text and images.
However, maybe a video on biosphere in the introduction will be more useful, power point slides and a worksheet will make the content more effective & engaging to teach.
Few short documentaries on roles of biosphere in everyday life and its medical importance will enhance student to get involved in discussions.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

Demonstrates the relationship between respiration, photosynthesis, carbon dioxide and biosphere.
Ease of use and navigation.
Can be used for asynchronous, synchronous and in-person classroom environments. i.e. has a better accessibility for different learning environments as it is click and learn type within built item format of data analysis.

Concerns:

Videos wherever possible should be included to operate this click and learn type simulation.
The webpage should include links to research articles for students to read and also may be a resource worksheet.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:

Strengths:

At the time of this review, the site runs quickly and smoothly
The information is well organized
The information flows easily from one topic to another
The flow of information makes it easy to understand

Concerns:

Lacks inclusion of learning activities and assessments.

Other Issues and Comments:: No comments
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