AN INTERACTIVE COMPUTER FRAMEWORK FOR LEARNING GENETICS

To enhance the effectiveness of learning genetics, we have developed a series of individual computer programs integrating interactivity with animated processes. It was noted that, although the content of the programs varied, the programs all contained a number of common features, including the ability to display text and images, present animated content, and interact with the user. These common features led us to the development of an innovative and unified framework of integrated functions for modeling and simulations. The framework, named "GeneAct" was developed to standardize and accelerate the development of the computer based genetics learning programs and was used as the application programming interface (API). The API allows the content to be imbued with rich text (text with multi-formats), static images, and animations; and it also allows the program to be interactive.