App

Pocket Heart

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Pocket Heart app also includes:

An all-encompassing, fully interactive, gorgeously animated model of the heart can be used to teach cardiac anatomy, physiology, and even a touch of epidemiology.

9th - Higher Ed Science 152 Views 80 Downloads
App Overview

Navigating Pocket Heart:

  • Completely maneuverable: zoom in and out and rotate in any direction
  • Pins identify featured structures on the heart and can be turned on or off
  • Tap on any pin to find the name of the structure via a pop-up label. Tap on the label to open a box where you will find detailed Anatomy, Physiology, and Medical information
  • A comprehensive list of structures can be hidden or displayed on the left side of screen by tapping Full Screen or Show Menu
  • Tap on a structure name in the menu to see where it is located and access the information box
  • Alternate between Exterior and Interior views
  • Opt to have heart pumping or view it with no motion
  • Opt to display blood flow or remove it from the image

Other Features:

  • An interactive structure identification quiz is accessible via a tiny question mark button; score is displayed upon completion
  • A MCQ button accesses a multiple-choice quiz about information contained in the information boxes
  • Five case studies of people with heart problems (their history, ECG reading, a multiple-choice question, management plan and discussion suggestions)
  • Beautifully illustrated, encyclopedia-style Glossary 
  • Access social media platforms, a demonstration video on YouTube, publisher's website, and their other apps via the information icon
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Curator Rating
  • Adherence to task
  • Worth the money

    Pricey, but really beautiful

  • Fun factor
  • Scaffolding of learning
  • User safety

    Sharing platforms and outside websites are incorporated

  • Control and feedback
  • How techie do I need to be?
    Intermediate
Instructional Ideas
  • After anatomists study the anatomy and physiology of assigned structures, they can assess their own learning using the multiple-choice (MCQ) or structure identification quizzes
  • Five case studies of people with heart problems (their history, ECG reading, a multiple-choice question, management plan and discussion suggestions) are provided and can be discussed in class
Classroom Considerations

Pocket Heart is on the more pricey end of the spectrum at $9.99. Much of the content complexity is beyond that of the normal scope of a high school biology course, so only purchasing one copy of the app and using it as a teaching tool via projector may be your most cost-effective option.

It would be nice to include more of the rest of the vascular system rather than just the heart. If this is important to you, then Pocket Heart may not be the best tool for your class.

Pros
  • Extremely high-quality realistic images
  • Comprehensive content covers anatomy, physiology, and even some heart health material
  • Several navigation features offer a well-rounded look at the anatomy of the heart
Cons
  • Because the shape of the heart is more elongated up and down, it is surprising that the app can only be used in portrait orientation
  • Pocket Heart costs $9.99
  • When you enlarge or reduce the size of the heart, the surrounding anatomy does not change in size