This site is a part of the NOVA series on the PBS website. The site is a supplement to the program called "Ancient Creatures of the Deep." The main focus is on the Coelacanth anatomy and physiology, discovery, and resources for use in science classrooms. The original PBS program was broadcast on January 21, 2003.
The site also covers other rare and primitive fishes. There is also a section on other Internet links, related books, a teacher's guide, and the full transcript
Type of Material:
This is a mixture of an interactive lesson and a collection of information on the coelacanth. There are also teacher guides with instructions and handouts for K-12 and suggestions from users of the site for additional activities.
Recommended Uses:
For use in 7-12 Science and general audiences.
Technical Requirements:
html and flash. Some materials are avialable as PDF.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
The site itself does not state any explicit learning goals, but several of the activities provided offer goals (including goals aligned with national science standards for k-12).
Target Student Population:
General audiences but most helpful for 7-12 and college undergraduate students.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Some knowledge of the ocean and fishes in general would be helpful.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The site offers accurate and compelling information on the discovery of this organism previously only know from the fossil record.
Graphics are excellent.
The full text of the video is available for those not able to obtain the video.
Concerns:
There are other people working on this fish. The site does not mention other sources of information on the Coelacanth.
Despite the fact that this based on a documentary there are not video clips available as Nova has done on other companion sites.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
There is an excellent self quiz that helps the reader to focus on the important information available to the reader on the website.
There are excellent materials and for k-12 there are lesson plans, and feedback from teacher who have used the site.
Concerns:
This site would have some uses for higher education. Materials for this audience would have been useful.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The site is easy to naivgate and is well written.
The graphics and pages load rapidly.
There are not defective links found.
Concerns:
None.
Creative Commons:
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