For your original post, you want to include three paragraphs with each paragraph being 5–6 sentences each.
- The first paragraph should address what concept(s) from the module you found to be most challenging. Most students like to begin this paragraph with a summary of what they learned in this module and then segue way into what was challenging. You may also want to describe why you found this concept to be challenging. Be sure to describe with the concept with enough detail that your teacher is able to tell you now understand the concept.
- The second paragraph should explain what you did clarify this concept and further your learning. Most students will describe the strategies and resources they used to understand and/or further their learning of the material.
- The third paragraph addresses the concept’s application to day to day life and, in appropriate cases, your personal connection to the concept.
For each of your response posts, you want to include at least one paragraph with each paragraph being 5–6 sentences each.
- Your response should add to the conversation or go deeper with the conversation. NOTE: Saying “I agree” and then restating their position does not add or go deeper.
- If you understood the concept they struggled with, feel free to help your classmate understand that topic.
- Your response should show critical thinking and be written clearly and coherently.
Sample Initial Post
The most challenging concept for me in this module was learning to read and understand pedigrees. Pedigrees are visual representations of a trait in a family. They show who in the family has and does not have the trait. In a pedigree, people in the family are represented by a symbol. Usually circles are females and squares are males. A filled in or dark symbol indicates the family member is affected by the trait and an empty symbol indicates the family member is not affected by the trait. Pedigrees can be used to determine genotypes, phenotypes, and predict how the trait will be passed on to future generations in the family.
To clarify my knowledge of pedigrees, I used the interactive activities within the module to practice. I was able to complete the interactive activities several times to ensure I had a full grasp of the lesson. My teacher was very helpful in helping me with this lesson. I came to office hours twice for help. She reviewed the material and practiced with me. I also found the following resource online that was very helpful. https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-biology/hs-classical-genetics/hs-pedigrees/a/hs-pedigrees-review
Pedigrees are useful tools for exploring inheritance of certain genes. Genetic counselors use them to predict how diseases and disorders may be passed on to future generations within a family. Parents who have a genetic disorder or whom a genetic disorder runs in their family will sometimes consult a genetic counselor to determine if they can have a healthy child. Downs Syndrome, hemophilia, and sickle cell anemia are examples of genetic disorders that can be traced in a family with a pedigree.
