INSTRUCTIONAL SOFTWARE

Name: Samantha Whitehead

Software Title: Gizmos
URL: https://www.explorelearning.com/index.cfm?method=cResource.dspView&ResourceID=521
Function(s) of Instructional Software (check all that apply):
Drill and Practice Tutorial Simulation Instructional Game e-books/e-references
Features of the Software (check all that apply):
Assessment Monitoring/Reporting (Keeps track of student data and/or generates reports for
the teacher) Allows teacher to create customized lessons for students Multi-user or
collaborative functions with others in class Multi-user or collaborative functions with others
beyond local class Accessible to students beyond the school day Accessible via mobile
devices Multiple languages Safety, security, and/or privacy features
Strengths of the Software: Great high-speed graphics, allows proper randomization of genes for
successive generations, provides a few general questions for students to answer, questions come
with answers and explanations.
Suggestions for Improvement: It would be great if there was a way to see student answers and
generate feedback on the results for the teacher. Also, more types of questions for students to
answer would be appreciated. I would probably have to create my own worksheet so the students
can show their work from the simulation (each has their own individual numbers), and have them
answer specific questions based on their personal results.
Standards Addressed: See https://www.georgiastandards.org/Pages/Default.aspx
SB3. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to analyze how biological traits are passed on
to successive generations.
a. Use Mendel’s laws (segregation and independent assortment) to ask questions and define
problems that explain the role of meiosis in reproductive variability.
b. Use mathematical models to predict and explain patterns of inheritance.

Grade Level/Content Area(s): High School Biology

Bloom’s Level of Critical Thinking Required (check all that apply). See
http://epltt.coe.uga.edu/index.php?title=Bloom%27s_Taxonomy
Remembering Understanding Applying Analyzing Evaluating Creating
Description of how to implement in the class:
This lesson would be a follow-up to the first one or two classes. In the first classes, the students
will learn the material and how to solve problems using data. This lesson is designed to show
students the process of a species fitness and how random inheritance would affect a population in
a real world setting with predation and its natural environment.

The students will play with the Gizmos simulation called “Microevolution”. They will adjust the
controls to create their initial conditions and the fitness of each genotype. Make sure they click on
Show Populations so they can see their numbers. Have the students go through 6 generations of
birds so the game will create a sufficient graph. The students will also need to write down their
data and answer general questions about the pattern of inheritance based on the numbers they

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generate. Finally, have the students answer the questions provided at the bottom of the Gizmos
website, and follow up with a discussion.

At the end of the class period, students will turn in their data and answers. Students will be graded
on how well they can apply their numbers to the questions of inheritance. They will also be graded
on accuracy and participation throughout the class period.