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Peer Review

Transcribe and Translate a Gene

Reviewed:

Dec 10, 2025 by Biology
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Ratings

Overall Rating: 4.5 stars
Content Quality: 4.5 stars
Effectiveness: 4.2 stars
Ease of Use: 4.8 stars
Overview:

Interactive simulation allowing student to go through the process of transcribing DNA to mRNA and then translating mRNA into the amino acid sequence of a protein.

Type of Material:

Simulation

Recommended Uses:

Can be used as an in-class activity, assigned as homework, or used in online learning.

Technical Requirements:

Website states firefox may not be compatible.  No flash required.

Identify Major Learning Goals:

To understand the steps of transcription and translation.To understand the flow of information from DNA to protein through an RNA intermediate.

Target Student Population:

High School, College General Ed, College Lower Division

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

Students will need basic computer navigational skills (enter URL, use keyboard, click and drag, etc.). Otherwise, the interface is very user-friendly. No specific prerequisite knowledge required because the site allows students to read about necessary components below the simulation. It would be a good idea for students to already know how to apply the Universal Genetic Code table to decode codons during translation, since the simulation does not specifically instruct students on how to read the table.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:

  • Clearly explains the process of transcription and translation with eye-catching graphics and easy to follow instructions.
  • Embedded activities along with the videos give students a chance to apply knowledge as they learn it.
Concerns:

  • The role of the ribosome, tRNA, and the anticodon are ignored in the simulation. The role of tRNA is also left out of the written summary entirely.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:

  • The short videos and interactives are easy to integrate into an existing lesson.
  • Feedback is given when incorrect choices are made in the interactives.
  • Additional information is provided in the written description.
Concerns:

  • No learning objectives identified.
  • No assessments included.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:

  • Easy to use
  • Interactive
  • Graphics and images are all high quality
Concerns:

  • There is no way to navigate between the videos and modules, you have to watch the videos in succession to get to the interactive modules.
  • No narration, not accessible for visually-impaired students
Other Issues and Comments:

 No additional comments.

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