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SASTA (South Australia),
Journal 1, 2006
Reviewed by: Jane Wright
Australian Year 11 and Year 12 Biology
Student Resource and Activity Manual 2006
THESE TWO BOOKS HAVE BEEN REVIEWED together, because except for the particular topics they cover, they are very similar. Each is an excellent resource for Senior Biology students. They are not texts in themselves, but are designed to complement textbooks and make the study of Biology more interesting and enjoyable.
Both manuals are well-organised and clearly set out. Each contains detailed instructions on how to use the book, an explanation of terms commonly used in Biology and an extensive section called Resource Information which covers text books, dictionaries and teacher references. Each section has lists of supplementary text books and useful references in scientific journals and on the internet, suitable for both teachers and students.
The Year 11 manual covers the following topics: Ecosystems, Investigating Populations, Communities, The Origin of Evolution of Life The Evolution of Australia's Biota, Changes in Ecosystems, Human Impact on Ecosystems, Skills in Biology, Nutrition, Gas Exchange, Transport and Excretion, Reproduction and Development and The Principles of Classification.
In order of appearance in the Year 12 manual are:
Homeostasis and Adaptation, Control and Coordination, Infectious Diseases, Non-Infectious Diseases, Defence and the Immune System, Preventing and Treating Disease, Cell Structure, Cellular Processes, Energy in Cells, The Genetic Code, Mutations, Inheritance, Population Genetics, The Evidence for Evolution, Hominid Evolution and Biotechnology.
In the introductory pages there is a useful summary of the curriculum statements for the VCE, HSC, Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia and at the start of each section, is a list of Learning Objectives cross referenced to each state's curriculum statement, making it easy for teachers to determine which sections are relevant. To cover the SSABSA Biology course for Stage 2 in South Australia, students would need both the Year 11 and Year 12 manual and depending on the topics in the school's teaching program in Stage 1 Biology, you might need either both books, or only the Year 11 manual.
The manual provides a good balance of information, labelled diagrams, photographs and questions on the topic. Some of the questions involve interpreting graphs and diagrams, some test comprehension of the information provided and many ask students to explain their understanding or suggest reasons for particular circumstances. Because of the content and the layout, students will find the information motivating and interesting. For example, the chapter on prion disease was detailed and up to date and could be used to develop the concept that the structure of protein is critical to its function. Similarly the chapter entitled The Search for Blood Substitutes could be a stimulating way to discuss the function of blood and the circulatory system.
Perforations enable any page to be easily removed so that it can be handed up for marking or added to a student's notes on the topic. A valuable extra for teachers is that one free copy of a model answer book comes with the first order of five or more manuals.
I would highly recommend these manuals for any student studying Senior Biology. The clear, succinct information and interesting topics make them a valuable resource to be used alongside a suitable text book. In addition, some sections would provide extension work for more able students. |