May 1, 2015 (Vol. 35, No. 9)

URL:
http://apple.co/1NQSAdY

Rating:
Strong Points: Lots of information, great graphics
Weak Points: None

Platform:
iPad

Cost:
Free

Summary:

In this virtual lab iPad app from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), students work through four experimental modules to investigate the evolution of anole lizards in the Caribbean. The modules, which are geared toward high school and college students, have students group lizard species by physical traits, construct  a phylogenetic tree from DNA sequences, and make and record measurements on lizard x-rays (while also calculating standard deviation and error of those measurements). The app is very well done, with quality graphics and animations, ample explanatory text and background information, and a lot of content. App users can track their progress through each module under the “progress” tab, and the “reference” section of the app contains useful supplementary documents such as additional background information, directions on how to obtain DNA sequences from the NCBI website, and instructions for performing statistical calculations.

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