All resources in OpenStax Concepts of Biology

Search

Activities for engaging students in Biology using animations

(View Complete Item Description)

This resource includes three classroom-tested activities that were created using the ideas outlined in the article “Getting more out of animations” by Pruneski and Donovan (in press). The driving idea is that animations can be a powerful tool for learning complex biological processes, but when students are passive viewers, it limits their usefulness and may become simply another source of content to be memorized. Engaging students with animations can greatly increase the amount of information that can be extracted and can help students develop important learning skills that can be useful in the future. These sample assignments help make the use of animations more effective and active by structuring student viewing using guiding questions. These questions focus on particular objects, features, or steps of the process to help students accomplish specific learning objectives for that topic. The assignments also help students think about animations as media objects that are created by scientists and animators using specific tools and conventions that affect how the process is depicted and the ways in which it should be viewed. Lastly, by comparing and contrasting multiple animations of the same process, students can extract more information, overcome the limitations of each individual animations, and generate a more complete view of the process.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Homework/Assignment

Authors: Stacey Kiser, Sam Donovan, Justin Pruneski

Biology 101 Vocabulary Quizlet Exercises; Modules 1-16

(View Complete Item Description)

Biology 101 Vocabulary Quizlet Exercises, Modules 1-16 Module 1: Themes and Concepts of Biology, Process of Science Module 2: Introduction to Chemistry Module 3: Biological Macromolecules Module 4: Cellular Structure and Function Module 5: The Cell Membrane Module 6: Energy and Metabolism Module 7: Cellular Respiration and Fermentation Module 8: Photosynthesis Module 9: Somatic Cell Division, Reproductive Cell Division Module 10: DNA Structure and Replication Module 11: Gene Expression and Protein Synthesis Module 12: Genes and Inheritance Module 13: The Animal Body: Basic Form and Function Module 14: The Human Digestive System Module 15: The Human Circulatory and Respiratory Systems Module 16: The Human Immune System Based on OpenStax Concepts of Biology, 1st Ed., https://openstax.org/details/books/concepts-biology

Material Type: Assessment, Interactive

Author: Tina B. Jones

Klamm’s Microbiology Laboratory Manual

(View Complete Item Description)

This laboratory manual was developed for a microbiology laboratory course designed to give students in the health care professions basic knowledge and skills of the techniques used to study microbes. The course is taken by first-time college students in the 6-year medical program and by prepharmacy undergraduates. Because this is the only microbiology laboratory course these students take, the laboratory experiments are essential to illustrate microbiological principles and methods presented in lecture companion course. The laboratory exercises demonstrate basic concepts of microbiology with emphasis on infectious diseases and host defenses. Throughout the course, students gain competency in the following areas: Safe handling of microbes Knowledge of the techniques and media used to subculture microbes Use of the light microscope Staining techniques Quantitative methods Identification of microbes using biochemical tests and/or immunological techniques Interpretation of experimental results In the past, I supplemented a commercially published lab manual with detailed weekly instructions posted to the course website. My instructions summarized the theory presented, pointing out the important concepts. Based on past experience, I made changes to the lab procedure accommodating organisms that work well in the UMKC teaching lab. In addition, the instructions gave students clarification on the post lab questions, encouraging critical thinking and evaluation of their actual experimental results. Students were required to use both the manual and my handouts to fully understand the exercise. As much as I tried to make each week’s activities clear, there was often confusion about the procedure, observations and/or expectations on the post-lab questions. This work aims to put it all together in one place for the student. For this project, I have built upon much of my original supplementary material using several open educational resources, most notably, OpenStax Microbiology. I appreciate the funding and support from the UM-system and the UMKC Libraries. I am grateful to my students who make teaching fun and interesting and will be unwitting editors and evaluators of this work. Sincerely, Loretta Sanderson Klamm

Material Type: Textbook

Author: Klamm Loretta Sanderson

Ancillary resources for Biotechnology Foundations

(View Complete Item Description)

Introduction to Biotechnology II (BIOL1415), provides learners with a practical exploration of a regulated biotechnology workplace. This course is a continuation of Introduction to Biotechnology I (BIOL 1414), and the cornerstone for the Biotechnology Level-One Certificate, as it provides students ample opportunity to master entry-level laboratory workforce skills. This course builds on knowledge in biotechnology, chemistry, & biology, and provides workforce training in areas of regulatory documentation, equipment validation, and teamwork. The goals of this course are to develop core laboratory skills needed in a bioscience lab job; critical thinking and multitasking, teamwork and accountability, accuracy in calculations and experimental analysis, and demonstrate skills associated with working in a regulated laboratory workplace.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Textbook

Author: Jack O'Grady

Instructor’s Guide to Concepts of Biology

(View Complete Item Description)

This Instructor’s Guide contains the brief outlines of Chapters 12-21 as found in Concepts of Biology, though some underwent revision. Also, instructors will find detailed outlines of the text for use in lecturing, as well as structured outlines that may be used by students to take notes while reading the chapter or during lecture. All outlines are derived from the OpenStax text. Additionally, study guides that contain a variety of questions are provided for students.

Material Type: Lecture Notes, Student Guide, Teaching/Learning Strategy

Author: Molly Smith

Logic Puzzle

(View Complete Item Description)

This activity is intended as an exercise in deductive logic. The students perform a series of "experiments" in which they try to identify which predators eat which specific prey (Each predator eats one and only one prey). The instructions are on the site. students may also click on the blue square to make the game full screen. A worksheet is added for students to record their results. This also is an exercise in articulating the logic used in the study. (Most students have no trouble figuring out the relationships). Writing down their results and conclusions is a bit trickier. ) This has been used for community college classes. It can be used at lower levels such as high school or even middle school without the worksheet.

Material Type: Game

Author: Arthur Wohlwill

Load more