OCR Biology AS (2009)
   


Average Rating:

Related Reviews:

OCR Biology AS
Course Workbook
256 pp.
Full Price: £16.95
Discount Price: £10.95
ISBN 978-1-877462-18-4

Journal of Biological Education,
Volume 43, No.2, Spring 2009
Reviewed by: Janet Preece and Jean Wilson

"...students at all levels are encouraged to be thinkers."

"This is an excellent aid to learning and understanding for the student... "

OCR Biology AS (2009)
These resources are specifically written to meet the requirements of students studying the OCR Biology AS course. Content is unitbased within five broad modules and comprises a Student Workbook, Model Answers and Teacher Resource CD-ROM.

Student Workbook (2009)

This is a hybrid of textbook, study guide and activity workbook which is regularly updated to address the latest developments in biology. New editions will be prepared for each new academic year. It has been designed for use in the classroom, as well as for self-study, homework and exam revision. Its ‘write-on’ format interactively engages students and increases their motivation.

The aim of the workbook is to complement texts specifically written for the course. The introduction clearly explains how to use the workbook to maximum effect and to engage with other associated resources. Details of the AS and A2 syllabuses are provided. The first chapter sets out concisely the methodologies needed in report writing and dealing with data. The following chapters in the text each begin with the learning outcomes and there are text book references with suggested links to Biozone’s Presentation Media CD-ROMs.

The chapters cover precisely the topics in the syllabus, including Cell Structure, Cell Membranes and Transport, Cell Division, Gas Exchange in Animals, Animal Transport Systems, Plant Transport Systems, Biological Molecules, The Genetic Code, Food and Health, Defence and Immune System, Human Disease, Classification, Biodiversity and Conservation, Evolution, and Ecological Principles.

Each area within the chapters is allocated one or two pages and provides an introduction to the topic: there are easily understood, clear, annotated diagrams and appropriate photographs.

The students’ understanding of the main ideas of the topic is consolidated and tested using various styles of questioning. There is room on the page for answers and students at all levels are encouraged to be thinkers. The whole of the text is in black and white, which is a slight drawback, as is the fact that photocopying is prohibited; however, this is partly addressed by using the specific CDROM. Each page is perforated for easy removal, which enables activity pages to be handed in separately for marking or for work to be filed. This is an excellent aid to learning and understanding for the student and an easily understood text from which teachers can set assignments.

Usefulness to student:
Usefulness to teacher:

OCR Biology AS
Model Answers
64 pp.
Price: £3.95
ISBN 978-1-877462-19-1
(One free copy with
your first order of five
or more workbooks.)

Model Answers (2009)

This is a companion publication, providing answers for all the exercises in the Workbook. A free copy is provided with the first order of five or more workbooks. In most cases suggested answers are given but no calculations or working out is described, except in a few cases where more detail has been provided because of the difficult nature of the response required. The answers are detailed and written in full sentences as opposed to the basic outlines of a mark scheme. Printed in black and white in A5 format the booklet is neat and the appropriate answers are easy to locate. Like the Workbook the Answer Book is printed in total in electronic form on the Teacher resource CDROM OCR Biology AS. Photocopying is prohibited.

Usefulness to student:
Usefulness to teacher:

OCR Biology Teacher Resource CD-ROM
ISBN: 978-1-877462-27-6
Price: £29.95

Teacher Resource CD-ROM (2009)

This interactive CD is an essential addition to the OCR Student Workbooks for OCR AS and A2 Biology. It contains indexed pdf files of each Workbook and Model Answer booklet for this specification. A database of 300+ video and 200+ software titles are included, as well as Glossary lists with spaces for definitions and notes on all topics. There are over 70 additional activities which include statistical exercises with associated Excel spreadsheets and extension exercises on topics such as Chisquare, translocation and diffusion plus osmosis. Subject-linked crosswords are available as pdf files but become interactive with Flash player which are ideal activities to end topics. This resource is an essential addition for this specification and is good value for money.

Usefulness to student:
Usefulness to teacher: