This site is one section of the Arizona State University Biology Project, an extensive interactive tutorial with major sections on Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Chemicals and Human Health, Immunology and Human Biology (this site). The Human Biology section is divided into three major parts: Activities, Tutorials with problem sets, and Web Resources. The Activities section contains four activities: two on karyotyping of chromosomes and two on DNA Profiling. The Tutorial section covers topics in genetics (blood types, color blindness, human genetics and DNA forensics), and topics on sex and reproduction (human reproduction, birth control and STDs).
Type of Material:
Tutorial, quiz
Technical Requirements:
None
Identify Major Learning Goals:
None listed
Target Student Population:
High school or college introductory biology
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
None
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
Quality of content: (3.0), (3.5) = 3.3
Features of excellence:
A large collection of problem sets
Immediate feedback from problem set answers
Activities on karyotyping DNA and DNA profiling are engaging and require problem solving skills
Traditional methods for both karyotyping and DNA profiling (RFLP analysis) are presented first, then new approaches (spectral karyotyping and the analysis of short tandem repeat polymorphisms) are introduced in following sections. This clearly demonstrates how scientific approaches evolve over time as more is learned and technology advances.
Concerns:
Only the units on Blood Types, Colorblindness and Sexually Transmitted diseases have any introductory information. Students accessing other portions of the site must learn background information from other sources before attempting the problem sets.
The approach to the colorblindness section is not as good as the blood type section. This section could benefit from the use of Punnett squares.
Many of the questions in the Tutorial Section only required factual recall, but no demonstration of critical thinking skills.
Some of the problem sets are redundant.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
Potential effectiveness as a teaching tool: (3.0), (3.5) = 3.3
Features of excellence:
Approximately 10 questions in each problem set.
Context of the activities on karyotyping and DNA profiling were modeled on an authentic task that is conducted routinely in laboratories. Together, these activities provide a very good opportunity for students to learn the basics of how our knowledge of chromosomes can be used for authentic purposes,
i.e., paternity tests and genetic profiles of missing persons.
Some questions from the problem sets also provide a "real world" context to help students answer the "So what?" question.
Concerns:
The majority of questions in the Problem Sets do not promote critical thinking.
The reading level required to negotiate the content of this site is higher than it needs to be to address the content covered. At the high school level, numerous students who would be able to access the conent may be hindered by the reading level required.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
Usability: (4.0), (4.5) = 4.3
Features of excellence:
Good navigational links.
Navigation intuitive.
Attractive pages, clearly organized.
Concerns:
Some activities slow to load.
Other Issues and Comments:
Overall rating: 3.6
Creative Commons:
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