NZ Science Teacher
Volume 90, No.98, 2001, pages 43-44
Reviewed by: H.J. Morgan
New Zealand Year 12 & 13 Biology
Student Resource and Activity Manual 2001
For those who like to use write-on workbooks these must be the ultimate in the genre. Both books are comprehensive, well produced and simple to use. Probably their best feature is the annual update to take account of any changes to prescriptions or teaching emphasis, to correct any typographical errors and to allow inclusion of the latest research and resources in an area. In some respects the books are new each year and so are subject to typographical errors. These seem to be very few in these books, a sign of good proof reading. In the year 12 book the table contents pages are reversed (3,2,1), (Printers error), some ions are shown without charges and trout is spelt triut. Not bad for 390 pages. In the year 13 book the answer for exercise 4 from page 27 is missing, again a very good effort.
The layout of both books is the same, a good introduction to the book and each section, a clear table of contents and index, one or two page exercises, key word lists and extra resources lists. The exercises are answered briefly in a separate booklet.
The content appears to accurate and up to date, relevant to the prescriptions/curricula, of appropriate reading levels for the average year 12 student and reasonable in depth. The layout is interesting with diagrams and black and white photos predominant. The type size is smaller than in most workbooks I have seen but not dauntingly so.
The resource lists for each section are massive: reading articles from New Scientist, Internet addresses, named research organisations as well as references to standard textbooks. These should help students to develop their research skills, as some of the exercises require material beyond that given in the printed sections.
Because of the size of the books it may be difficult to open them fully for writing on. They are well-bound in saddle-stapled sections, which are glued to the paper covers. The books are probably too thick to separate into sections and then punch for ringbinders but some pupils may prefer to use them this way.
The visuals (diagrams, photos, maps) are sharp and easy to understand and closely linked to exercises based on them. The keywords are listed in the objectives for each section then printed in bold type in the general notes, a very good revision tool.
The style of the exercises, recall, data handling, paper practicals, research or application and the level are indicated clearly by a coding system via the headings.
In sections that are likely to be taught through local issues such as 'biological control of an organism' and 'biodiversity in an aquatic environment' there are no exercises, just curriculum statements and resource lists. Other more generalised practical areas of plant and animal studies do have generalised exercises teaching or testing the practical skills rather than factual knowledge based on one organism.
The sheer size of the book may be daunting to some pupils but once they start to use the layout and the fact that each exercise is only one or two facing pages long makes it acceptable.
Overall a very good set of resources for senior biology. |