Ingrid's learning object - Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium

The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is a concept in evolutionary genetics that is part of the course I have to teach. It involves certain mathematical calculations which, for the non mathematically oriented students (as I would consider myself), results in a series of mathematical equations from which students can calculate a value for "p" and "q" - a value which they might have to calculate in exams. In reality, this "p" or "q" value results as meaningless to the students as it probably is to you as you read this. (If you are interested in finding more about the "p" and "q" values please do visit the applet I have embedded below).

Although I am not a big fan of java simulations which are at risk of "taking reality" away from the topic, I like the Evo Tutor applet developed to "simulate" the changes in allele frequencies that are linked to concepts associated to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is a rather abstract topic which relies on the learner being able to interpret, not only an intangible concept (such as a frequency of gene alleles) but also an entirely conceptual time-frame (the model is represented over several life generations, a time frame that by nature it is harder for us to grasp). Taking these issues into consideration, I believe that the simulation -together with empirical case studies were the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is thought to have existed (or exists)- can be used as a useful learning object through which students may to an extent, compare "real" data (i.e. from empirical studies) to the expected outcome as predicted by these "formulas" that they have to use. Furthermore, if the situation permits so, this applet allows for students to predict, for example, what a certain experimental set up will result in before they actually set up the experiment.

I consider the value of this LO lies in the fact that it can aid the understanding of this abstract concept. On its own, although a nicely setup applet, the applet does not do a lot more than a teacher might represent on a whiteboard or a student watch on a video. The LO's added value is the way in which it can expand the dimensions through which learners are presented with this highly theoretical model and the way it can be molded to contribute to the understanding of the Hardy-Weinberg principle in real-case scenarios.



Posted by: Ingrid Kopke Donado