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Peer Review

Molecules in Motion

Reviewed:
Jan 16, 2003 by Biology
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Ratings

Overall Rating: 5.0 stars
Content Quality: 5.0 stars
Effectiveness: 5.0 stars
Ease of Use: 5.0 stars
Overview:
A collection of three-dimensional, interactive animations. This extensive
collection of tutorials allows students to critically analyze three dimensional
structures of DNA, protein secondary structure, G proteins, hammerhead
ribozymes, restriction enzymes, DNA binding motifs, MHC proteins and oxygen
binding proteins. The tutorials on Protein Secondary Structure give a good
introduction to the alpha-helix and beta pleated sheet. The tutorials all use
Chime and are very interactive and of superior quality. They also follow a
consistent and easy to use format, which decreases the challenges many students
(and instructors) face when going from one tutorial to the next. Some of these
tutorials are tied closely with the Lehninger Biochemistry text
Type of Material:
Interactive animations and tutorials
Recommended Uses:
Self-study by students and for active use in lectures.
Technical Requirements:
Netscape 4.5 or 4.7 (not higher versions of Netscape) and the Chime plug-in,
made by MDL, Inc. The tutorials are not fully functional in IE 5.5 and 6, due to problems with the Chime plug-in (some of the buttons do not function and some
of the text formatting is run together). The use of IE is not recommended.
Tutorials work fine in Netscape 4.5 or 4.7. A direct link to download these
older browsers is at the site.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
To understand the structure and function of various cellular macromolecules, and to be able to understand the individual components that give them their
biological function.
Target Student Population:
Advanced High School students, all levels of college students, and some graduate students.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Basic chemistry and biology.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:
  • Well designed with current and accurate animations and tutorials.
  • Very well written descriptions of the images the students are allowed to
    manipulate. Each animation illustrates key concepts being discussed in the
    accompanying text.
  • Molecules are easy to manipulate/dissect, and buttons used for various views
    are clearly laid out.
  • Information is divided up in a logical and easy to follow manner.
  • Excellent graphics and animations. Would be very useful for a student alone,
    or in a lecture.
Concerns:
  • none

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:
  • If one has Internet access, a great way to demonstrate molecular structure instead of using transparencies and/or drawings on the chalkboard.
  • Drag and move Chime program offers excellent interactivity and is a great way
    to demonstrate key molecular features.
  • Excellent way for students to visualize and manipulate molecules on their own.
  • A good supplement to a text or used as a stand-alone module.
  • Highly interactive.
  • Would be possible to write questions based upon material in tutorial.
  • Animations help illustrate difficult concepts.
Concerns:
  • It would be nice to link the tutorials to some example problems or questions. These often force students to critically analyze a structure in more detail.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:
  • Easy to navigate and quick, without any defective links or bugs.
  • Clear index on the first page allows for quick access to tutorials.
  • Tutorials are well organized and explained clearly.
  • Tutorial all work well as stand-alone exercises.
  • Some tutorials tie-in with texts such as Stryer and Lehninger. This provides
    students using these texts with hands-on experience with the concepts discussed
    in the text.
Concerns:
  • Perhaps construct a site map that gives an overall view of the site layout.
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