This site contains 7 short animations of the embryonic cardiovascular system and its development. The last, newly added animation contrasts the fetal circulation with the neonatal. Each animation is well labeled, isolating specific changes over time and from one axis. Key developments are shown from 2 views. Blood flow patterns are clearly shown and anatomical changes dynamically illustrated as the heart chambers evolve from the primitive heart tube. The mechanism for change, pressure gradients is addressed.
Type of Material:
These are animations.
Recommended Uses:
The animations can be used in tutorial or class settings. They could be used for independent study and review.
Technical Requirements:
QuickTime and Macromedia Flash plug-ins are required, but are standard to many systems. Downloading icons are supplied at the bottoms of the pages.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
The principal goal is knowledge acquisition of structural and functional change in fetal heart development from the earliest heart tube to the postnatal, fully developed heart and circulation. The well-conceived and executed animations achieve this purpose admirably.
Target Student Population:
Undergraduate anatomy class
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
A minimal knowledge of the circulatory system. The unit is self-contained.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
Well designed, clean interface, ease of use, clear labeling of features, Within each animation, a great pedagogy is shown. The authors have thought out the views and perspectives and executed the animations to maximize the learning. They accomplish what no textbook illustrations could. A clear story is told.
Concerns:
The date of development and up-dating might be added to the credits. Text might be added to specify the icons are downloading instructions. An audio tack might prove useful, particularly in the fetal/postnatal animation in which the text is on the smallish side. A reference list could be added.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The color coding, flow arrows, repetition of key points, summary sections all add the strong pedagogy. Assignment and test questions could be written for the material.
Concerns:
The date of development and up-dating might be added to the credits. Text might be added to specify the icons are downloading instructions. An audio tack might prove useful, particularly in the fetal/postnatal animation in which the text is on the smallish side. A reference list could be added.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The color coding, flow arrows, repetition of key points, summary sections all add the strong pedagogy. Assignment and test questions could be written for the material.
Concerns:
The date of development and up-dating might be added to the credits. Text might be added to specify the icons are downloading instructions. An audio tack might prove useful, particularly in the fetal/postnatal animation in which the text is on the smallish side. A reference list could be added.
Creative Commons:
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