Resource+3

Harry May 17

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3. ‘Take a deep breath’

Features

‘Take a deep breath’ is an interactive web-based science resource designed for students in Year 5/6 available from [|The Learning Federation] (L21). The resource examines why and how we breathe, and how oxygen travels to all parts of the body. The viewer is allowed to watch what happens inside the human body. Illustrations are shown and descriptions given of body parts which are essential to the breathing process. Students can hear and read a description of words that are underlined (clickable). Animations of the circulatory and respiratory systems are well presented. Additional activities such as ‘running’ demonstrate the effects on the respiratory and circulatory process. Colour and graphics, but no sound effects, are used and some of the written text is also spoken. Opportunities for deeper exploration of the topic are provided through extra questions.

Evaluation

‘Take a deep breath’ is a free resource which is quick to download. Student learning is enhanced by explanation of the function of all parts of the human respiratory and circulatory systems in an interactive and animated presentation. Diagrams are clear and colourful, and animations show how a person breathes and how the heart pumps blood through the body. The functions of major organs and tissues are explained and the effects of physical activity are explored. Extra questions such as “Why do smokers get short of breath when exercising?” lead to a new inquiry. Navigation is a fairly easy process which students will master after being shown once (e.g. on the interactive whiteboard or by peers). The vocabulary is challenging and a fairly high literacy level is required so some students might need more scaffolding. However, the capacity to listen to the vocabulary is helpful and the images help to give meaning to the words. The resource can be used individually, in pairs, or as a whole class learning activity and takes about fifteen minutes.

The body is a very complex and mysterious system; this resource engages students by giving them control over their learning. It fits in well with the Tasmanian Science Curriculum and enhances learning by posing questions and giving explanations about the external and internal features of living things. The suggested activities are engaging and relate to students' lives which make the learning meaningful.

I would recommend the resource because it is informative, interactive, clearly and colourfully presented, interesting, relevant to the students and easy to use. Curriculum areas that are readily integrated are: English, PE, Art, Mathematics, and Health and wellbeing. Practical activities such as measuring blood pressure and heartbeat, drawing of organs, exploring film clips and books, making inquiries about the effects of smoking and exercise and exploring differences between animals and people should create lively, engaging and meaningful lessons for students in year 5/6.