Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 4, 2026
13:56
Modeling Biological Membranes with Circuit Boards and Measuring Electrical Signals in Axons: Student Laboratory Exercises
Published on: January 18, 2011
23.4K
A constructivist approach to e-text design for use in undergraduate physiology courses
Ashley E Rhodes1, Timothy G Rozell2
1Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas; and aek6613@ksu.edu.
Advances in Physiology Education
|September 3, 2015
Summary
Constructivism is key for designing effective electronic textbooks (e-texts) in science education. This guide helps instructors apply constructivist principles to develop engaging and accessible undergraduate physiology e-texts.
Area of Science:
- Educational Technology
- Physiology Education
Background:
- Rising costs of traditional textbooks impact college science courses.
- Increasing availability of e-text creation software empowers instructors.
- Limited guidelines exist for designing e-texts based on learning theories, especially for undergraduate physiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of constructivism in e-text design.
- To provide practical applications of constructivism for e-text development.
- To illustrate constructivist e-text design with undergraduate physiology examples.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on constructivism and e-text design.
- Analysis of constructivist principles applicable to digital learning environments.
- Case study of two undergraduate physiology e-texts developed using constructivism.
Main Results:
- Constructivism offers a robust framework for creating effective e-texts.
- Specific strategies for applying constructivism in e-text development are identified.
- Examples demonstrate successful implementation of constructivist e-texts for diverse learners.
Conclusions:
- Constructivist principles are essential for developing high-quality science e-texts.
- Instructors can leverage constructivism to create more engaging and effective learning experiences.
- E-texts designed with constructivism can cater to varied student backgrounds and knowledge levels.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Overview of Anatomy and Physiology
40.6K
Human anatomy is the scientific study of the body's structures. Some of these structures are very small and can only be observed and analyzed with the assistance of a microscope. Other larger structures can readily be seen, manipulated, measured, and weighed. The word "anatomy" comes from a Greek root that means "to cut apart." Human anatomy was first studied by observing the body's exterior and the wounds of soldiers and other injuries. Later, physicians were allowed to...
40.6K
01:30Introduction to Biological Bases of Psychology
6.0K
Biopsychology serves as a vital bridge connecting the intricate domains of biology and psychology, shedding light on how biological systems influence psychological phenomena. This field scrutinizes the biological substrates of behavior and mental processes, emphasizing the nervous system along with the roles of neurotransmitters, hormones, and genetics. It also incorporates evolutionary perspectives to explain the adaptive nature of mental functions.
The nervous system, the cornerstone of...
The nervous system, the cornerstone of...
6.0K
01:18Structural Organization of the Human Body: An Overview
37.9K
It is convenient to consider the body's structures in terms of fundamental levels of organization that increase in complexity: subatomic particles, atoms, molecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, and organisms.
To study the chemical level of organization, scientists consider the simplest building blocks of matter: subatomic particles, atoms, and molecules. All matter in the universe is composed of one or more unique pure substances called elements, familiar examples of...
To study the chemical level of organization, scientists consider the simplest building blocks of matter: subatomic particles, atoms, and molecules. All matter in the universe is composed of one or more unique pure substances called elements, familiar examples of...
37.9K
01:15Overview of Skeletal Muscle
17.1K
Skeletal muscles are composed of a bundle of muscle fibers and are attached to bones through tendons. Each skeletal muscle fiber is a single muscle cell. The sarcolemma, the plasma membrane of a skeletal muscle cell, consists of a lipid bilayer and glycocalyx that supports muscle fibers. The sarcolemma extends into the muscle cells to form tubular structures called transverse or T-tubules. Each side of the T-tubules consists of a membrane-bound structure called the sarcoplasmic reticulum,...
17.1K
02:03Anatomy of the Circulatory System
102.8K
The human circulatory system consists of blood, blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart, around the body, and back to the heart, and the heart itself, which acts as a central pump. The systemic circuit supplies blood to the whole body, the coronary circuit supplies blood to the heart, and the pulmonary circuit supplies blood flow between the heart and lungs.
102.8K
01:29Pathophysiology of Cardiac Performance
2.0K
Typical heart performance is influenced by heart rate, rhythm, myocardial contraction, and metabolism or blood flow. The cardiac muscle exhibits distinct electrophysiological features, including pacemaker activity and calcium channel control, which play a vital role in the heart's response to various drugs. The autonomic nervous system, comprising the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches, regulates heart rate. Sympathetic activation increases heart rate, while parasympathetic activation...
2.0K