Peer Review

Human Anatomy: Nervous System

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Mar 23, 2013 by Biology

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: “Human Anatomy: Nervous System” is part of a larger site entitled “InnerBody.” The Human Anatomy: Nervous System is a reference material that outlines the nervous system. Topics covered include: 1) Nervous System Anatomy, and 2) Nervous System Physiology. Under these general topics, several other topics are covered including: 1) neural tissue including neurons and glial cells, 2) brain, 3) spinal cord, 4) nerves including afferent, efferent, cranial and peripheral nerves, 5) meninges including dura mater, arachnoid mater and pia mater, 6) cerebral spinal fluid, 7) functions and divisions of the nervous system, 8) action potentials, 9) synapses, and 10) reflexes. Within each one of these sections are bolded terms in which the student can click on for images and additional information.
Type of Material:: This is reference material using animation and text.
Recommended Uses:: This is a reading assignment could be created for students to learn about specific areas or parts of the nervous system. The pictures could be used to review the location of different structures. The site could also be used to supplement a text book.
Technical Requirements:: This site requires a web browser and the ability to view animated graphics.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: This site will help students to: 1) identify structures of the nervous system, and 2) describe and function and anatomy of the nervous system.
Target Student Population:: The target student population includes advanced high school or college general education students. The material could be used as an introduction to neuroanatomy.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: Some knowledge of anatomic terminology would enrich the learning experience with these materials.

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

The content is accurate and up to date
Content covers core concepts in neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neuroscience
There are a lot of images that clearly depict anatomical structures
Material is easy to use

Concerns:

Graphics are small and hard and there may be some mistakes in the information as it is presented
There is a lot of content covered that could be overwhelming to a learner
Short summaries at the end of a section would be helpful to hit the main topics for that content

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

Images are clear and the structures are highlighted to draw attention to it
The site provides both text and images to engage the student
The site could supplement a textbook

Concerns:

Each item stands alone and hence, ths site has limited interactivity.
Relationships between structures are not shown
The learner can only click on bolded terms or can highlight structures on the images
Practice questions with feedback would useful to students
Some type of index or table of contents would be helpful to navigate and determine your location within the site

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:

Strengths:

All links work.
The site is of high quality design.
The site is easy to use
There is an instruction video that shows how to use the website

Concerns:

When clicking on bolded terms, the learner is directed to a new page and could get lost easily

Other Issues and Comments:: This is useful for non-majors who want a quick review. It gives very basic information but very little detail. Pictures are difficult to see. Some of the information may be erroneous. Material is presented much like a graphic medical dictionary; click on a term, see a picture and read a description. The site is supported by many advertisers.
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