Human Disease and Disorders

Created by:
Jennifer May
Secondary Science Teacher
Daniel Wright Junior High School

Introduction / Task / Process /Resources / Evaluation / Conclusion

Introduction

In our world today, many diseases and disorders exist that affect us and the ones we love. They are caused by many things, including viruses, bacteria and genes.  It is your job as a disease specialist to select a particular disease and disorder and conduct extensive research to become experts on your selected topics.
 
 

Task

Working with a partner, you will each assume the role of a disease/disorder researcher.  The two of you will select one disease from one disease category and one disorder from one disorder category.  As a team, the two of you will find and present all relevant information that you come across.  You must include information such as mode of transmission, population affected. symptoms, frequency, outcomes, and possible treatments.  After conducting the research, as a team, you will present your findings to the class.

• research both a disease and disorder
• create a portfolio - including pictures, descriptions, and all of the information listed above
• prepare an oral presentation that highlights the main points; one partner will present the disease, and the other will present the disorder; you may use the portfolio during the presentations
• jointly prepare a PowerPoint presentation on your chosen disease and disorder

 

Disease Categories	Disorder Categories
Autoimmune	Blood
Infectious	Eating
Neurological	Genetic
Respiratory	Sleep
Cancer

Process

To accomplish this task, consider the following steps:

1)  Brainstorm with your partner to select one disease and one disorder to research.  Preferably, select topics that have some relevance to you, i.e., a disease that affects a family member.

2)  Use the Internet as well as other sources to research your chosen topics.

3)  Keep files of all the categories of information you and your partner find to make it easier to decipher and  consolidate when putting together your portfolio and presentation.  For example, one file could be titled 'mode of transmission', another could be titled 'symptoms', etc.

4)  If possible, also make a file of pictures that illustrates  the symptoms associated with your chosen topics.

5)  Include a list of terms and definitions needed to understand the information obtained for your selected topics.

6)  Once you have acquired all information needed, arrange your portfolio in detailed sections.  For example, one section could be titled 'mode of transmission', etc.

7)  Check to see that all required information is in fact in your portfolio, and that your portfolio is neat and orderly.

8)  Using the portfolio, each partner must prepare a 5 - 7 minute presentation that relays all of the important and relevant information that was  learned through the research; one partner presents the disease, and the other presents the disorder

9)  As a team, create a PowerPoint presentation that displays all of the interesting and important information that you have discovered through your research.  Use the following link for help with preparing your presentation.

 
 
 

Autoimmune Diseases	Blood Disorders
American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association	AIDS: Education and Prevention
Autoimmune Diseases	AIDS Handbook
Kids Learn About Diabetes - What is Diabetes?	Anemia- HealthWorld Online
International Diabetes Web Site	Evaluation of Anemia
Lupus Foundation of America	Leukemia Information Library
Lupus Facts	Childhood Leukemia Center
MS Crossroads	American Sickle Cell Anemia Association
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society	Kids & Sickle Cell Anemia
Autoimmune Diseases-Vanderbuilt	Hemophilia Home Page
Infectious Diseases	Eating Disorders
National Foundation for Infectious Disease	The Center for Eating Disorders
Infectious Diseases	Eating Disorders
National Center for Infectious Disease	Eating Disorders Online
International Society for Infectious Disease	Treating Eating Disorders
Epidemic!	Eating Disorder Resources on  the Internet
Neurological Diseases	Genetic Disorders
Neurological Diseases/Disorders	Genetic Diseases/Disorders
National Institute of Neurological Disorders	GeneClinics: Medical Genetics Knowledge Base
Brain Disorders Network	Hereditary Disease Foundation Home Page
Welcome to the Alzheimer's Association	National Association of  Genetic Disorders Databases
Muscular Dystrophy Association	Rare Genetic Diseases In Children
National Parkinson Foundation	Genetics Resources on the Internet
Respiratory Diseases	Sleep Disorders
American Lung Association	The Sleep Well
Lung and Asthma Society	Sleep Disorders by Yahoo!
Pneumonia	Insomnia
National Tuberculosis Center	Center for Narcolepsy Research
Emphysema	Eneuresis (Bedwetting)
	Sleep Apnea
Cancer
National Cancer Institute
American Cancer Society
OncoLink: A Cancer Center Resource

 
 

Evaluation

You will be evaluated on the quality of your research, portfolio quality and organization, and presentation.  You need to answer as many of the questions posed in the task as possible.

Here are some things to keep in mind when creating your portfolio and presentation.
 

• Did you identify the mode of transmission for your disease and disorder?
• Did you identify the frequency of affected individuals?
• Did you identify the groups of people most affected?
• Did you identify the symptoms?
• Did you identify the final outcome?
• DId you include possible treatments?
• Did you locate pictures that display symptoms of affected individuals?
• Did you include a list of relevant terms for each topic?
• Did both you and your partner contribute equally?
• Is your portfolio neat and organized?

The total points for the WebQuest will be 150.

The individual presentations will be evaluated using this rubric: 50 possible points.
 
 

The PowerPoint presentation will be evaluated using this rubric: 100 possible points.
 
 

Media = Total Points: 20 possible
Use of Resources (sound, transitions, graphics, pictures, video)	10 points
Look at how the authors combined the materials and used the variety of resources.  Did they integrate into the presentation or have each part 'tacked on?'	10 points
Content = Total Points: 40 possible
Introduction : Was there a clear and evident introduction of the them and content of the project?  Is there an effective 'grabbing' of the audience?	10 points
Clarity : Is the content clear and effectively presented throughout the presentation?  Do all parts of the project flow together and support the theme?	10 points
Timing : Is there enough or too much time between the slides for the viewer to read or observe the slide?	10 points
Legibility : Is each image and lettering of size and clarity to effectively communicate?	10 points
Group Dynamics = Total points: 40 possible
Sharing of Tasks	10 points
Cooperative Decision Making	10 points
Equal Work Load	10 points
Collaboration/Synthesis of Ideas	10 points

 
 
 
 

Conclusion

    Chances are, you yourself, someone in your family, or a friend of yours is affected by some type of disease or disorder.  There are more affected people than 'normal' people in the world.  Being informed of the the various conditions is therefore of utmost importance to all of us.

    By completing this assignment, you have now acquired a greater range of knowledge about disorders and disease through the use of the Internet. You have also had the chance to present your information to others and to spread to others the information you have learned.  In the future, you should always keep an eye out and keep informed of  further developments and possible treatments of the diseases and disorders covered in this assignment.
 
 
 

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