Computer labs as techno-pedagogical tools for learning biology

Appendix 1- Instructional objectives, instructional tasks and instructional activities

Lab session

Objectives

General Instructional tasks

School 1 lab session 1

Introduction to cell, structure of a cell, cell theory

School 1 lab session 2

Types of cells, and differences between animal and plant cells,

1.To develop understanding of concept of cell and cell theory

2.To identify structure of cell

3.To differentiate between cell structure of plants and animals

4..To associate cell structure with function

Intranet materials based on the topic were browsed by the students. The intranet materials could be referred to as 'advance organizers' which contained information to provide facts related to the concept 'cell'. The intranet materials were of the Tutorial type serving as information providers – students read the content, attempted to understand the content and answered questions at the end of the lesson. There was a large pool of resources saved and downloaded and students were free to use the related content. The skill was to select and identify the most suitable resource and answer the questions at the end of the lesson within the prescribed time. For each lesson topic a list of 3 questions was given for students to answer at the end of 30 minutes. They were free to use any resource present in their computer which was uniform and the same in all computers

School 2 lab session 1

Differences between different cells in size, shape and function

School 2 lab session 2

Types of cells, and identification of the cellular organelles

1.To identify shape of different cells in human body

2.To associate cell function with structure of cell and to develop understanding of differences of cell and cell theory

3.To Identify cellular organelles

School 3 lab session 1

Function of cellular organelles

School 3 lab session 2

Observation of cellular movements

1.To develop understanding of relationship between structure and function of various cellular organelles

2.To Identify structure of cell

3.To observe movements of cells within the body.

School 4 lab session 1

Cellular processes – facts

School 4 lab session 2

Cellular process in action

1.To develop understanding of cell processes

2.To observe cellular process of transport of materials into and out of the cell

3. To understand concept of cellular transport

School 5 lab session 1

Cell division

School 5 lab session 2

Cell-related diseases

1.To develop understanding of cell division

2.To associate cell mechanisms and onset of diseases

Appendix 2 – Observation Matrix

Learning Skill / lapse of time since commencement of class	0-5 mts	6th-10th mts	11th-15th mts	16th-20th mts	21^st -25^th mts	26th-30th mts	31st-35th mts	36th-40th mt s	41^st to 45^th mts
Basic knowledge of computer and electronic communication
Process-oriented work and text processing
Information retrieval in database and data processing
Basic internet use
Use of spreadsheets
Layouts and pictures communication
Screen presentation
Use of community networks