Journal of a NanoProbe Surgeon

Overview

The main idea behind the Journal is that students describe everything they would come into contact with as they travel around the body piloting a NanoProbe. The science should be correct and the students descriptions of what they are seeing should be as illustrative as possible. The eBook should be an extension of the students’ class and homework notes for the topic and I would suggest assigning it in Biology as a “Takeaway Homework.”

Objectives

Given access to an online ebook creator or ebook publishing service, students will create a 10 page minimum ebook with their own drawings/images, for the topic of Blood and Circulation that combines appropriate biological content and descriptive writing appropriate to the English Language class.

Specification Alignment

IGCSE Biology Edexcel 2013:

2.57 describe the composition of the blood: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma

2.58 understand the role of plasma in the transport of carbon dioxide, digested food, urea, hormones and heat energy

2.59 explain how adaptations of red blood cells, including shape, structure and the presence of haemoglobin, make them suitable for the transport of oxygen

2.60 describe how the immune system responds to disease using white blood cells, illustrated by phagocytes ingesting pathogens and lymphocytes releasing antibodies specific to the pathogen

2.62 understand that platelets are involved in blood clotting, which prevents blood loss and the entry of micro-organisms

2.63 describe the structure of the heart and how it functions

2.65 describe the structure of arteries, veins and capillaries and understand their roles

2.66 understand the general structure of the circulation system to include the blood vessels to and from the heart, the lungs, the liver and the kidneys.

Tools

Students may use Bookrix which has an online editor OR they may use Yudu, which uploads PDF and transforms it into an eBook.

Interactive whiteboard for demonstration.

Activity/Assessment

Using the IWB, show students the teacher example.

Demonstrate how to use Bookrix and Yudu.

Students create a rubric for the assignment so that they are responsible for the assessment criteria and “buy in”. Their rubric should contain the elements expected in English assignments.

Workflow: As students work through the topic, they should transform their lesson notes into descriptive style. The topic will last approximately 5 weeks (2 lessons per week) by which time the eBook should be published and submitted to the class/teacher with a self assessment from the rubric completed.

Peer assessment by 2 other members of the class in the final lesson of the topic will be completed along with a teacher assessment.

#TakeAwayHomework Would be the mode of differentiation for this task; differentiate by personal creativity! I would not mandate the production of an eBook, rather give the task as an option alongside a YouTube movie, Board Game, InfoGraphic, etc.