The BioTopics website gives access to interactive resource material, developed to support the learning and teaching of Biology at a variety of levels.
BioTopics interactive innovations
Rollover techniques are widely used on this site, hopefully to enhance the learning experience.
Using the mouse to pass the cursor over many of the graphics will cause diagrams to become labelled. Try this on the cell diagram below.
In many units, rolling the cursor over hidden text may be revealed, so that you can >test yourself !
These techniques form the basis of on-line tutorials.
I am also increasingly likely to use pop-up windows that respond to passing the mouse cursor over words in the text in order to give definitions or further explanations to cover technical terms etc.
Animations are used where there is an educational benefit, such as this illustration of plasmolysis. Being in GIF format, these do not require plug-ins such as Flash to be loaded. Try clicking on the image below.
Image maps and tool tips are also sometimes used to append extra detail on demand. Leave your pointer resting on the different parts of the diagram of a glucose molecule below!
On some sections of the site, interactive 3-D models of biological chemical structures haved been collected together. This model of the molecular structure of penicillin allows it to be moved in all directions using the mouse, and interacted with by means of buttons or text links.
In the middle of the penicillin molecule is a square section, which gives it its antibiotic effect.
This is called a beta lactam ring.
This form of penicillin has a benzyl group at one end of the molecule.
GCSE topics have been chained together in a (hopefully) logical way so that casual browsers and dedicated users can navigate efficiently.
Another experimental feature :
How do you say
systole
and
diastole?
I would appreciate feedback to tell me if these (and other features) work on your system, at home or in a school/college, on a stand-alone or networked computer.
Watch out for these icons which bring up animations or photos when clicked.
The site is very stable and continues to be developed, although not quite at the pace I would like!
