Week 6 Activity 3 – Draft Online Design Plan

Course Title: Human Organs, Their Function and Circulatory System

Course Duration: 2 months, weekly online meeting

Course Target Audience:  Grade 8 middle students

Course Location: Once weekly online

Course Overview

This course offers middle school students an engaging exploration of human organs, their functions, and the circulatory system. Additionally, it delves into the relationship between daily habits and their impact on the environment. By fostering a deeper understanding of biology and personal health, this course aims to inspire students to care for their bodies. It serves as an excellent foundational stepping stone for those interested in pursuing biology in high school. Through dynamic discussions, immersive video content, and interactive virtual lab activities, students will actively engage with the material, enhancing their comprehension and interest in the subject matter.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this unit, students will describe the various organs of the body, explain the circulatory system, and demonstrate an understanding of the intricate path of blood flow. Students will also explain the impact of physical exercise on heart movement.

Additionally, students will demonstrate an understanding of the effect of cholesterol on the heart and the relationship between exercise and heart health. They will utilize data and statistical evidence to describe healthy habits and their impacts on heart disease. This outcome can be achieved by incorporating virtual labs where students can manipulate different inputs.

Teaching and Learning Activities

A worksheet aimed at assessing prior knowledge of cells. Additionally, there’s a video featuring Bill Nye focusing on the functions of human organs. These resources serve to evaluate existing understanding of cellular concepts and provide educational insights into the roles and functions of the body’s organs.

This educational material, designed for middle school students, covers lessons on the Human organs, their function and the circulation system. Through an interactive simulation called “Inside the Human Body,” students can delve into each organ, learning about their structures and functions. The resource also offers interactive games that complement the lessons.

Regarding the circulatory system, children engage in activities to recognize and name its main components while exploring the roles of the heart, blood vessels, and blood. Beginning with students’ existing knowledge, they then locate these components within the body and learn about their structures and functions.

This resource, provided by Siemens, comprises a presentation highlighting key teaching points, guidelines for conducting the activities, supplementary worksheets, and interactive simulations and games.

Students will engage with virtual labs to explore the human organ system, enhancing their scientific education. Labs are pivotal for hands-on learning in science. Interactive Science Laboratories (ISLs) leverage technology for immersive learning experiences. This paper examines ISLs’ impact on key subjects like chemistry, biology, and physics, offering virtual experimentation opportunities. ISLs incorporate virtual labs and simulations, empowering users to conduct experiments and deepen their understanding of scientific principles. The paper underscores significant issues and challenges within existing ISLs. Employing a systematic literature review (SLR) methodology, 86 articles were selected and categorized into various groups after a thorough selection process. Furthermore, a subjective study involving field experts was conducted to evaluate one of the existing virtual labs, focusing on practical implementation and identifying key issues in its usage. Based on the insights garnered from the subjective study, the paper proposes guidelines for enhancing future ISLs.

By means of this animated presentation and accompanying article, students are educated on the diverse components and roles of the heart. It visually elucidates the heart’s anatomy, the process of a heartbeat, and the mechanisms behind its pumping action. Employing a blend of text, imagery, voiceover, and 3D animation, students enhance their comprehension of the heart’s functioning within the human body. This visual aid can complement classroom discourse, while student feedback enables teachers to gauge comprehension levels effectively.

Situational Factors

In the realm of virtual learning environments, meticulous attention to situational factors is imperative to craft a compelling and effective learning experience. The digital landscape itself assumes a pivotal role, encompassing elements such as technological infrastructure, accessibility of online resources, and the digital literacy proficiency of learners.

One pivotal factor to consider is the heterogeneous nature of online learners, comprising varying motivations, prior knowledge, and diverse learning styles. The absence of specific course-related goals among learners underscores the importance of employing strategies that not only motivate but also establish a tangible connection between course content and practical applications.

Furthermore, how the topic is presented holds significant sway, particularly in this age group. Leveraging technology, platforms such as Edpuzzle provide an immersive experience through video content accompanied by strategically placed questions and feedback. This approach enhances engagement and fosters a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Concurrently, the virtual learning space necessitates adept time management considerations, recognizing that online learners often juggle their studies amidst a plethora of other commitments.

In summation, the efficacy of online course design is contingent upon a comprehensive understanding and integration of the distinctive situational factors inherent in the digital learning environment.

Assessment

Summative Assessment

In the summative assessment, students are tasked with constructing a virtual body diagram, identifying organs, and explaining their functions. Following video presentations, students will engage in question sessions to demonstrate comprehension. Additionally, they will record their responses in a quiz format, consolidating their understanding of the material. This multifaceted approach ensures comprehensive learning through both visual and written means, fostering deeper comprehension and retention.

Formative Assessment

Students will construct lung models to demonstrate comprehension, illustrating the correlation between heart health and physical activity via debates and blogs. Additionally, they’ll engage in a case study analyzing a patient with cholesterol issues, exploring its connection to heart health and proposing actions for control. They’ll delve into how daily exercise and a balanced diet aid in managing cholesterol levels, fostering a holistic understanding of cardiovascular health and preventative measures.

Feedback

Frequent: The course design encourages frequent student participation through weekly online meetings and interactive activities such as virtual labs and simulations.

Immediate: The inclusion of video presentations and question sessions immediately prompts student engagement and comprehension checks, providing timely feedback on understanding.

Discriminating: Activities like constructing lung models and analyzing case studies require students to discriminate between different concepts, fostering critical thinking and deeper understanding.

Supportive: The variety of resources, including worksheets, videos, and interactive simulations, provides ample support for students to navigate the material and engage with the content at their own pace. Additionally, the incorporation of formative assessments allows for ongoing support and guidance in mastering the subject matter.

Integration

The teaching activities outlined in the course design plan are carefully crafted to align with the learning outcomes for students:

1. Describing Various Organs and Explaining Circulatory System: Activities such as video presentations featuring Bill Nye and interactive simulations like “Inside the Human Body” provide comprehensive insights into the structures and functions of human organs. Similarly, the exploration of the circulatory system through activities and presentations ensures students gain a solid understanding of blood flow and the role of the heart.
2. Understanding the Impact of Physical Exercise on Heart Movement and Heart Health: Constructing lung models and engaging in debates and case studies about cholesterol issues directly relate to understanding the impact of physical activity on heart health. These activities prompt students to explore the connection between exercise, diet, and cardiovascular health, aligning with the learning outcome effectively.
3. Utilizing Data and Statistical Evidence to Describe Healthy Habits and Impacts on Heart Disease: The incorporation of virtual labs and simulations allows students to manipulate different inputs and analyze data, enabling them to understand the relationship between healthy habits and heart disease. Additionally, the use of quizzes and summative assessments consolidates their understanding of statistical evidence and its implications for heart health.

Overall, the teaching activities are thoughtfully designed to ensure students achieve the specified learning outcomes by providing engaging, interactive experiences that foster comprehension and application of knowledge.

References

• Ali, N., Ullah, S., & Khan, D. (2022). Interactive Laboratories for Science Education: A subjective study and systematic literature review. Multimodal Technologies and Interaction, 6(10), 85. https://doi.org/10.3390/mti6100085
• (n.d.). Lesson 4: The structure and function of heart. Grade 11 University Biology. http://grade11universitybiology.weebly.com/lesson-4-the-structure-and-function-of-heart.html
• (n.d.). The Human Body Game. STEM. https://www.stem.org.uk/resources/elibrary/resource/35233/human-body-game