The videodisc contains hundreds of photographic images, more than 3000 diagrams, tables, and graphs, and more than 50 minutes of video footage and animations. The Curriculum Manual is a collection of 18 units covering major genetics topics. Each unit is designed as a series of lesson plans that include an introduction, a laboratory investigation, concept development and discussion, assessment, and extension activities. In one dry laboratory activity, students learn concepts of variability, genotype, and phenotype by flipping a coin to determine the genetic traits of a child. In other activities, students simulate karyotype and restriction analyses, isolate DNA from an onion, and use role play to learn about gene expression.
Assessments consist of problems, short answer, and extended response items.
Complete instructions, reproducible worksheets, and background information are provided for each unit. The directory is a complete listing of all visual resources on the disc. Each resource is accompanied by a thumbnail image, barcode, frame number, and descriptive text. Each tutorial provides a series of images, animation, lecture notes, and information. Ten mini documentaries covering topics such as Huntingtons disease and genetic counseling are also incorporated into the tutorials.