From “yum” to “yuk”: a case in point… mutation
At a Glance
Discipline
- STEM
- Biology
Instructional Level
- College & CEGEP
Course
- General Biology II
Tasks in Workflow
Social Plane(s)
- Individual
- Group
Type of Tasks
- Solving problems
- Reviewing & assessing peers
- Reading
- Taking a quiz & test
Technical Details
Useful Technologies
- Clicker System
Time
- Single class period (< 90 mins)
Instructional Purpose
- Application & knowledge building
- Assessment & knowledge refinement
Overview
Gene mutations can be lethal or beneficial to an organism, in this mini case study students will learn the effects mutations can have on phenotypes.
Students will apply what they learned about mutations to decipher the effects it can have on a functional gene (phenotype). They will investigate the outcomes of two mutations; one that leads to a truncated null protein product and one that leads to a functional larger protein.
This mini case study uses the flipped classroom strategy where students will prepare by watching videos, completing assigned readings and taking a quiz before entering the classroom. The instructor can use just in time teaching (JITT) using the quiz results to alter the in-class material.
Instructional Objectives
- To understand the effects that a mutation can have, whether it can be lethal or beneficial;
- To understand what the mutation can do to an organism’s phenotype.
Workflow & Materials
Activity Workflow
Contributor's Notes
Benefits
Challenges
Tips
Benefits
- This activity helps students in group collaboration. Since the activity uses peer assessment the student’s are more engaged.
Challenges
- Students get overwhelmed when faced with the multiple choice clicker questions.
Tips
- This case study is applicable to any gene; therefore the instructor can modify the study to the gene/sequence of their choice;
- The instructor can use the clicker questions at the beginning of the class.
Applied Strategies
Published: 22/03/2019
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