iTunes U is amazing!

Instructional design can be made easy using iTunes U. iTunes U helps me to divide the learning experiences into different topics and then into assignments. Reading assignments happen at home, and other assignments attached within each post. For example, in the course I am developing now, 1.3 is the topic of the cell membrane. 3 assignments are attached to this post (a reading post, analysis task, and review materials for extra help). The post itself provides detailed instructions for the assignments when necessary. Students can often keep up if they are not in class by looking at my calendar and utilizing iTunes U before they come back from being sick. I've changed a few things to this unit overview, but in general, this is it. My students are in the middle of this unit as we speak.

• 1.1 and 1.2 Cells:
• Cell Survivor-1.2 Ultrastructure of Cells: HudsonAlpha App, and e-book Section 1.2 to help review cell organelles.
• During cell survivor activity in class, Google Slides link or Canva app to create presentations. Google Classroom dropbox.
• 1.1 Intro to Cells Review
• The Low Down on Cells Handout and Why are Cells So Small Handout to accompany review stations in class (station instructions provided in class).
• These review stations are to review how to measure micrographs, analyze the cell theory, explore examples of cells, and understand why cells are so small in regards to surface area to volume ratio.
• 1.5 Origin of Cells
• E-book reading assignment and notes
• Videos “How Did Life Begin?” to watch after e-book reading
• Notes provided as resource and review in class together
• Online discussion on Google Classroom on reductionist vs systems approach of studying science. Replies encouraged and discussion face-to-face
• 1.3 Cell Membrane
• E-book Reading with notes
• Video to learn how to draw and label a cell membrane and students to make their own.  
• Instructions to make a video to analyze the falsification of the Davson-Danielli model that led to the Singer-Nicolson model, rubric for grading provided for formative assessment (app choices also provided)
• 1.4 Cell Transport
• 1.4 e-book reading and notes
• Cell Transport animation to enforce reading
• Teacher notes on topic provided as a resource
• Video creation (app choices provided) of an assigned cell transport mechanism to teach the class. Rubric also provided for formative assessment- in class and out of class
• Data Based question in class as discussion for informal formative assessment
• Practice Problems on Osmosis-in class and out of class
• Identifying parts of an osmosis experiment as a formative in class to practice lab skills.
• Osmosis Experiment (in class from Wards AP Biology Kit) and lab report with provided rubric as summative assessment-in class and out of class
• Explore cells under a microscope to review cell organelles (1.2 review) as Osmosis experiment runs.
• Formative Assessment quiz over Topic 1.1, 1.2, 1.5 (in class)
• Formative Assessment quiz over Topic 1.3, 1.4 (in class)
• Bell Work, kahoots, and discussions, and drawings will happen in class as informal formative assessment.
• Unit Test over 1.1-1.5 in class. Multiple Choice and Free Response to practice the formatting of the DP and AP Biology exams.