Experiencing and learning about DNA can be done in the classroom on the computer!

CyberEd DNA The Molecule of Life is an excellent multimedia CD-ROM. This software uses interactive exercises, movies, animations and tests to help students understand DNA concepts. All frames of the CD presentation have quality narration.

The CD can be used as a sequential tutorial/lesson in which students are guided in a "discovery mode", or it can be used by accessing individual interactive lessons. Here are some examples from the CD-ROM:

Text supplements are also provided with these CDs, which can serve as an excellent "tour guide" for the CD presentation.

Note that there are several other related CD-ROMs that are also very interesting and useful for the Cells and Genetics units. These titles include:

• Investigating Heredity
• Mendel's Principles of Heredity
• Mitosis
• Meiosis

The complete CyberEd biology CD-ROM product list is available here.

Interested in this or any other CyberEd CD-ROM? Get purchasing and availability information from this complete review.

Also note that CyberEd CD-ROM content is now available for subscription online. See the CyberEd site for more information.

Task:

This activity can be a simple exploration or students can be asked to collect and note information as they do the tutorial. Examples:

• Use your computer to journey completely through the DNA tutorials.
• Complete any worksheets that are assigned by the teacher.
• Use the pre-test and post-test for evaluation. The tests can be set with different time limits to challenge yourself!