Biozone manuals and workbooks are popular with many teachers, despite the additional expense they represent. Whilst a workbook is not a textbook, it is designed to complement such resources by provision of well targeted activities and exercises. In effect, it is designed to support active learning by various pen-and-paper challenges, largely other than by traditional practical work (or extended field investigations, as in this topic). Photocopying of the resources is prohibited, so each student would require a copy of this resource if it is to be closely followed.

The workbook divides ecology into six sections: Ecosystems. Energy flow and nutrient cycles, The dynamics of populations, Practical ecology, Classification and, finally, Changes in ecosystems. The structure of the resource is well explained with a concept map, followed by a listing of other relevant published resources and statements of the I meaning of commonly used terms. A feature of Biozone is the link it provides to specific Internet resources introduced via a dedicated web site - appropriately explained at the start of the book. The genesis of this resource was in New Zealand, but this presentation of ecology touches on habitats and organisms from biomes from all over the world.

The focus of this series of books on understanding by activity rather than by didactic explanation has to be applauded. It explains their popularity with teachers, I think. Much of the subject matter of Ecology applies to current AS/A2 specifications, although it is not exclusively targeted on the needs of any one UK examination group. Necessarily it contains superfluous subject matters, to varying extents. To my mind, the absence of colour in the very grey pages of this resource is a major disadvantage, but no doubt many users are able to overcome the rather drab appearance of the pages that they require their students to focus upon.

The numerous 'slides' that make up the CD-ROM resource are organised under the same headings as in the workbook. Given the absence of colour in the latter, the beautiful and colourful quality of the images on the CD-ROM is a major advantage. The idea of the images presented here is to provide slides that can be used in lecture-style presentations. As such, it is slightly at odds with the main thrust of the workbook, which clearly facilitates individualised, structured, activity learning. Nevertheless, teachers committed to incorporating Biozone resources into their teaching and learning will resolve this conundrum without difficulty. The visual impact of the slides is remarkable. Generally, they are not otherwise readily accessible for classroom teaching on ecology.

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Biozone manuals and workbooks are popular with many teachers, despite the additional expense they represent. Whilst a workbook is not a textbook, it is designed to complement such resources by provision of well targeted activities and exercises. In effect, it is designed to support active learning by various pen-and-paper challenges, largely other than by traditional practical work (or extended field investigations, as in this topic). Photocopying of the resources is prohibited, so each student would require a copy of this resource if it is to be closely followed.

The workbook divides ecology into six sections: Ecosystems, Energy flow and nutrient cycles, The dynamics of populations, Practical ecology, Classification and, finally, Changes in ecosystems. The structure of the resource is well explained with a concept map, followed by a listing of other relevant published resources and statements of the I meaning of commonly used terms. A feature of Biozone is the link it provides to specific Internet resources introduced via a dedicated web site - appropriately explained at the start of the book. The genesis of this resource was in New Zealand, but this presentation of ecology touches on habitats and organisms from biomes from all over the world.

The focus of this series of books on understanding by activity rather than by didactic explanation has to be applauded. It explains their popularity with teachers, I think. Much of the subject matter of Ecology applies to current AS/A2 specifications, although it is not exclusively targeted on the needs of anyone UK examination group. Necessarily it contains superfluous subject matters, to varying extents. To my mind, the absence of colour in the very grey pages of this resource is a major disadvantage, but no doubt many users are able to overcome the rather drab appearance of the pages that they require their students to focus upon.

The numerous 'slides' that make up the CD-ROM resource are organised under the same headings as in the workbook. Given the absence of colour in the latter, the beautiful and colourful quality of the images on the CD-ROM is a major advantage. The idea of the images presented here is to provide slides that can be used in lecture-style presentations. As such, it is slightly at odds with the main thrust of the workbook, which clearly facilitates individualised, structured, activity learning. Nevertheless, teachers committed to incorporating Biozone resources into their teaching and learning will resolve this conundrum without difficulty. The visual impact of the slides is remarkable. Generally, they are not otherwise readily accessible for classroom teaching on ecology.

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Next year, I hope to take a small group of students, aged 15-18, to Iquitos in Peru, where we will board a boat to take us up the Amazon to study the rainforest. So I was particularly interested to see that Iquitos is featured in the Introduction to Ecosystems series of slides on Ecology, a media presentation CD-ROM.

The Amazonian rainforest is just one of many ecosystems featured on this comprehensive resource. There is a bias towards Australia and New Zealand – not surprising, given that the publisher, Biozone, is a New Zealand company. However, all the sets of slides are easily edited, so any extraneous material can be removed and the excellent pictures and information tailored to fit specific courses.

The set of slides with the largest amount of material is the one addressing human impact (see full contents list below). This includes eutrophication, biological oxygen demand, global warming, integrated pest management and bioaccumulation.

Each set of slides consists of a colourful and informative PowerPoint® presentation. Sometimes the slides have too much text, so a judicious pruning in advance could make them more accessible to a class.

The slide sets have been “produced to complement the student resource and activity manuals*” and are recommended for use as overhead transparencies (although, for this purpose, I would reduce the level of detail on many slides); with a digital projector; on school computer networks (the site licence is included); and with an interactive whiteboard (although I’m not convinced of the interactivity of most of the slides).

Ecology is a key part of all biology studies and these slide shows could be modified to fit many age groups. As they are, they are probably a little more detailed than necessary for England’s A-level requirements (ages 16-18).

There are restrictions with this CD-ROM. You may not print handouts for students, even if you modify the slides to fit your own lesson. This is a real drawback, as without notes, students will want to copy the information on the slides and thus slow down the pace of a lesson.

Overall, Ecology is a useful source of visual information that could help teachers to provide a sound course, and help students to appreciate some of the concepts of ecology, as long as the theory was supplemented with practical work. I recommend this CD-ROM for anyone with a generous budget who teaches a biology course with an ecological component.

Incorrectly stated in review
*(1) student resource and activity manuals - should be Student Workbook

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Ecology Lesson Materials
Ecology: 2005. CD-ROM. Distributed by BIOZONE International Ltd.
PO Box 13-034, Hamilton, New Zealand. $299.95. For further information visit http://www.thebiozone.com/media.php.

System Requirements
Any Windows or Macintosh computer with a CD-ROM drive capable of using one or more of the following formats: PowerPoint®, Keynote®, QuickTime® slideshow, or Adobe Acrobat® PDF.

Ecology is ideal for advanced high school or undergraduate classroom lectures. This media can be used on a digital projector, an interactive whiteboard, as overhead transparencies (you can print the files) or on a computer network.

Although the CD-ROM was intended to complement the Student Resource and Activity Manuals, Senior Biology 1 and Senior Biology 2 from BIOZONE, they can be used as a stand-alone product as well. The 550 different screens present a large array of topics to complement lectures in an ecological class.
The Ecology CD-ROM includes sections on:
* Introduction to Ecosystems
* The Ecological Niche
* Populations & Interactions
* Practical Ecology
* Communities
* Biodiversity & Conservation
* Human Impact

Each section includes a colorful, informative PowerPoint® presentation complete with notes. Illustrative photographs, diagrams, graphs, and written facts are included with each topic within an ecological section. For the instructor, the sidebar of slide notes is very informative. Each section also includes a PDF file in Adobe Acrobat®, Keynote®, and a spectacular QuickTime® slideshow.

By far, the section with the largest amount of material is the one addressing Human Impact. Eutrophication, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Global Warming, Integrated Pest Management, and Bioaccumulation are just a few of the topics this broad section covers. Classes that emphasize these aspects of Ecology would be well served by using the material included in this section.

Ecology is a teacher-friendly source of classroom lecture material. Students are likely to be engaged with the colorful, informative material contained within this CD-ROM. I recommend this CD-ROM for the advanced high school and early undergraduate ecological classes, especially those emphasizing the human impact of ecology.

Kay Marie Pedretti
Biology Department
Winona State University
Winona, MN 55987

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CD-ROMs also available as a bundle £199.95 (with bonus Gene technology CD-ROM)

These stand-alone workbooks follow the usual high-quality Biozone format. The quality of the pictures and diagrams is consistently high (though all in black and white). The books all begin with useful explanations of terms used in exams, concept maps for the topic, resource information and a list of references for further reading. They are a modular resource and a further seven titles are available.

The books are intended to be used as a source of activities and a set of model answers is provided on CD-ROM with each order. The books are not intended for photocopying and are intended for single use so would have to be purchased in sets by a school or by individual students. As they are very detailed and focus on specific areas of the syllabus, this would represent a major annual investment for a school. However, the quality of the activities is high and always interesting for students (and teachers).

The content covered by these three titles is very wide ranging, always covering the basics from all current A-level specifications and well beyond. Any student with a passing interest in any of these areas of biology would certainly find the content very useful. These are high-quality workbooks that go well beyond the narrow confines of the A-level specifications and are highly recommended - I shall certainly be purchasing some of the other titles in the series.

The CD-ROMs are a useful accompaniment to the workbooks and contain slides that can be used for classroom presentation. The slides on the discs are of a very high quality and would be a useful addition to any biology department's resources, though at a cost. The presentation files can be placed on the school's intranet and can be edited and customised as desired. PowerPoint handouts can be printed for student use.

The discs contain an absolute wealth of information ranging from basic topics through to many areas not covered by A-level specifications. This is a recommended resource if you use PowerPoint and data projection in your A-level teaching.

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"Evolution. 2007. CD-ROM and workbook.
Developed by Biozone International Limited, 109 Cambridge Road, Hamilton, 3216, New Zealand. Visit www.biozone.co.nz for more information and contact sales@biozone.co.nz for ordering.
$99.95. In addition, it can be purchased as a bundle along with the Evolution *(1) and Genes & Inheritance CD's for a significant discount price of $199.95*(2).

This is another recent module developed by Biozone, which nicely complements the Human Evolution, and Genes & Inheritance modules reviewed in previous issues of ABT. Topics included are:

• The Origin and Evolution of Life
• Mechanisms of Evolution
• Patterns of Evolution

In addition to a Power Point® slide show which can be modified to a particular instructor's needs, the module offers a wide range of activities aimed at providing a different approach to the teaching of evolution at the secondary school level. The activities are well-thought and certainly provocative in the sense that students are probed to examine evolution from a perspective not typically covered by major textbook companies.

The Origin and Evolution of Life section includes seventeen sub-sections beginning with life in the universe and expands its thesis to the origin of life on earth, including the origin of eukaryotic cells (including endosymbiosis), DNA hybridization evidence, comparative anatomy, and ends with continental drift and evolution, to name a few.

Mechanisms of Evolution includes 28 sub-sections including genes and evolution, Darwin's theory, population genetics, genetic drift, speciation, and stages in species development. Two notable subsections are "Selection for Human Birth Weight" and "Analysis of a Squirrel Gene Pool". What makes these two sub-sections noteworthy is the fresh approach they bring to the understanding of evolutionary mechanisms; most biology textbooks tend to present such mechanisms in a dry format thus making the topic less convincing to our students.

The last section, Patterns of Evolution, covers convergent evolution, co-evolution, adaptive radiation, causes of mass extinctions, and other topics pertinent to New Zealand species. Once again, the topics are presented in an engaging format and the activities provide a wide range of opportunities for enquiry. Answers to all questions for the three sections are provided to the teachers on a separate CD*(3).

This module is appropriate for advanced secondary school biology courses such as AP®, IB®, or a stand-alone course in evolution. Also, it can be used at the undergraduate level for non-majors. All the activities provide a wide range of skills and students should have a great command of the subject by the end of the module. Hopefully, students will complete all activities realizing that the teaching and learning of evolution is a cornerstone in biology and ongoing controversies surrounding the teaching of evolution are best kept outside the biology classroom. Regardless of the implications, Biozone has provided a phenomenal tool for teaching evolution that surpasses most (if not all) attempts by other companies to bring evolution to our classrooms in the twenty-first century."

José Vázquez
General Studies Program,
New York University,
New York, NY 10003

Incorrectly stated in review
*(1) Evolution - should be Human Evolution
*(2) $199.95 should be $299.95
*(3) Answer CD applies to Modular workbook

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Genes & Inheritance. (2005). CD-ROM. Distributed by Biozone International Ltd., PO Box 13-034, Hamilton, New Zealand. The cost is $199.95, which includes a comprehensive site license. (Note that this CD-ROM is also available in a Genetics & Evolution Bundle.) For further information visit http://www.thebiozone.com/media.php.

System Requirements:

Any Windows or Macintosh computer with a CD-ROM drive capable of using one or more of the following file formats: PowerPoint? (editable), Keynote? (editable), QuickTime? slideshow, or Adobe Acrobat?PDF.

Genes & Inheritance is appropriate for advanced high school or introductory undergraduate biology lecture presentations. The PowerPoint? and Keynote? media files can be edited and customized for easy preparation of multimedia presentations. The presentations can be viewed with a digital projector, with an interactive whiteboard, as overhead transparencies (files can be printed), or on a computer network. Although the media complements the content of the Genes & Inheritance, a modular workbook, and Senior Biology 1 and Senior Biology 2, student resource and activity manuals from Biozone, they can easily be used as a stand-alone product to complement lectures concerning genetics and inheritance concepts. There are 388 different screens that present critical concepts. The content of the Genes & Inheritance CD-Rom is divided into the following five sections:

    • The Genetic Code
    • Mutation
    • The Nature of the Gene
    • Inheritance
    • Gene Interactions

Each section contains editable PowerPoint? and Keynote? files, a PDF file in Adobe Acrobat?, a QuickTime? slideshow, and a folder that contains the files of the individual components that were used to create the presentations. I will focus my review on the PowerPoint? presentation format.

The concepts are presented with labeled diagrams and descriptive text on thoughtfully formatted slides. Bullets are used to organize text and bold text is used to identify important vocabulary. The diagrams and the associated labels are introduced to the slide with simple animations. The animations allow the concepts to be constructed from the simple components to the more complex ones and to reveal the sequence of a process, for example, the steps of translation for protein synthesis. There is also a good balance of excellent diagrams, photographs, and micrographs, which are essential to the presentation of the concepts.

The inheritance section has the most slides. Asexual and sexual reproduction, Mendelian inheritance, human hereditary, genetic crosses, multiple alleles, human blood groups, pedigree analysis, genetic counseling, inherited disorders, and sex determination in animals are just a few of the important topics that are presented in this section that would help students gain an understanding of critical concepts.

Genes & Inheritance is high quality lecture material that is simple to use. The excellent graphics help to capture the attention of the students. Animation for the individual components helps students to understand concepts, keeps their attention throughout the presentation, and prevents their frustration from viewing too much content in one view. I recommend this CD-ROM as a resource for creating multimedia lecture presentations of genetics concepts.

Jewel Reuter

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If you need to know about disease, then this workbook and CD-ROM combo are for you. There are four useful sections: the nature of disease, infectious disease, non-infectious disease and defence and the immune system. The four topics are available on the CD-ROM for Mac and Windows, and in a variety of formats so access should not be an issue. There are lots of photos, such as an MRl scanner. However, the spellings are in American English, so some corrections may be required for UK use.

The smallest presentation contains 60 very detailed slides, for example four slides are devoted to ultrasound in pregnancy. I feel that it might be better to break the presentations down into smaller, more manageable topics, stored under the four subjects headings.

The photos and diagrams in the workbook are in black and white, unlike the slides. It would be nicer in colour. The book has been geared to the UK and the spellings are correct. When the page numbers hit three digits though, in the copy reviewed the third digit is cut off the edge of the page. The first few pages discuss the format and layout of the book, and the page on question terminology is extremely helpful. The page of suggested resources is also very helpful and it is picked up at the beginning of every topic, with more specific resources. It also suggests making key word banks, by taking the bold words from the topic introduction and adding a definition to them. This is a good idea, which would encourage most students to actually think about what the words mean. The idea of the workbooks is that each student can read the information, complete the accompanying questions, and then tear out the page and add it to a ring binder in which their notes are kept. This is a great idea in principle, but there is generally a different subject on the front and back of each page, so I would wonder about exactly where to place the page. Also if you wanted to use a hole-punch, there is not a lot of margin space.

The slides on the CD-ROM are aimed at teacher-taught A-level sessions and the workbooks are intended as student-led revision guides. The CD-ROM could be a useful resource with any level. As the book is intended as a single-user workbook, funding may mean that students would have to contribute to the cost of the books themselves.

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Health and Disease Presentation MEDIA
2006. Created by Biozone International Ltd. Contact sales@biozone.co.nz for pricing and ordering information.

System Requirements:
• CD-ROM Drive or Downloads
• Windows
• Mac OS compatible

This CD contains four different PowerPoint presentations that can be viewed as PowerPoint, QuickTime movies or as separate slides in PDF format. In The Nature of Disease concepts such as causes of disease, epidemics, diagnostic techniques, medical imaging, and control of disease are covered and illustrated.

In Infectious Disease transmission of bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoan pathogens are included along with special focus on "emerging diseases" like HIV and AIDS. For a number of the specific diseases like Malaria: and guinea worm transmission, symptoms, and treatments are discussed.

In Non-infectious Disease disease such as cardiovascular problems, cancer, the effects of smoking, and eating disorders are explored. The final program: Defense and the Immune System includes 56 slides that deal with tissue rejection,human blood typing, and the body's many levels of defense against infection as well as the mechanics of allergies.

The information is thorough, accurate and well presented. It meshes well with the modular workbook of the same title but can easily be used alone. According to the information provided on thebiozone.com Web site, the presentations can not only be used as described above but also include a site license so they could be used on the school's computer network. The level of the material presented is appropriate for high school or introductory college biology.

Mary Jane Davis
Science Department Chair
Catholic HS Redbank
Red Bank, NJ

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The workbook follows the standard format for this series. Undoubtedly many A2 and other post- 16 tertiary biology students will find much to commend in it. Pages 1~7 explain to the student how to use the book, introduce activity pages, glossaries, using the Internet, resource information and what a cell biology concept map is. The first chapter, on Molecules of Life', starts with learning objectives cross-referenced to the relevant pages before beginning the more formal study of the biochemical nature of the cell and important molecular groups such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, etc. Below the text there are questions and spaces for answers and certain pages are intended for removal and insertion into student files. The text is both comprehensive and student-centred with a wealth of secondary resources, which the more ambitious student can follow up.

Throughout the book all the text, photographs and diagrams are in black and white and are not, in my opinion, of a particularly good standard; indeed some, such as the six pictures of organisms on page 33, are so small and lacking in detail as to be of questionable value. Similarly, the font size of the lists of supplementary texts, periodicals and web addresses, as on page 9, is very small. I understand and applaud the authors desire to produce a resource that supplements, extends and underpins course textbooks whilst at the same time being competitively priced, and at £6.95 they have succeeded admirably. However, in terms of quality of font and diagrams, attractiveness to the student, and some aspects of clarity, especially when describing molecules reacting or groups that are of particular importance to the behaviour and function of the molecule, the book falls short. Additionally, there is an expectation that the teacher has access to the accompanying CD-ROM as well as the usual textbooks associated with specific courses. Where students purchase their own copies of this workbook the cost to institutions is low, but where new copies have to be purchased for large sets of students each year this could become a financial burden. Overall, the book has merits. It is very comprehensive and it is cheap by today's standards. When used in conjunction with the CD-ROM and textbooks it will undoubtedly prove an invaluable resource and for that reason alone it is to be recommended.

Teaching has come a long way since the days of coloured chalk drawings on a blackboard and multicoloured Banda handouts. Nowhere is this more clearly seen than in the contents of the accompanying CD-ROM. The level of presentation, depth, content and general clarity is exceptional. Complex structures and intricate biochemical pathways unfold before the eyes of the student in ways that no blackboard or OHP acetate could portray.

There are six PowerPoint presentations covering: molecules of life; introduction to cells; cell structure; membrane and transport; cellular energetics; and processes in the nucleus. Each presentation is highly visual, accurate and very detailed, possibly exceeding the level of many non-traditional A2 syllabuses; thus the teacher would need to be selective in which slides to include to avoid overloading the students. However, this last point is not a criticism because it demonstrates the versatility of use of this teaching 'aid for a diversity of tertiary and foundation degree courses. Inevitably, there are minor errors such as the location of letters intended to show a specific part of a cell being slightly out of position, but the discerning teacher will spot this and build it into their presentation. The cost of the CD-ROM is high, but the fact that the authors have permitted it to be copied onto the intranet and individual staff laptops within the purchasing organisation, plus the fact that it can be edited and modified to suit individual needs, greatly offsets the initial outlay. I firmly recommend this product to all teachers of AS, A2 and sub-degree courses, believing it to represent the very best of modem educational technology.

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Cell Biology and Biochemistry
2006. Created by Biozone International Ltd. Contact sales@biozone.co.nz for pricing and ordering information.

System Requirements:
• CD-ROM Drive or Downloads
• Windows
• Mad OS compatible

The items reviewed consisted of two products. One, the less expensive one, was a workbook addressing these areas of introductory biology: Molecules of Life, Cell Structure, Cell Membranes and Transport, Cellular Energetics, and Processes in the Nucleus. The second product, considerably more expensive, was a CD library of presentation graphics in multiple formats (PowerPoint, HTML, PDF, Quicktime, and Apple's Keynote) keyed to the sections in the workbook. Both of these are subdivisions of a larger body of work, which covers the entirety of an introductory biology course at either the freshmen level or advanced high school level. All of these units are available as modules.

The workbook/study guide has much to be said for it. For each of the five chapters, it has clearly stated objectives, extensive additional resources listing of supplemental texts, lists of periodical resources from print media, URL's for Web-based media and concept map "outlines". The book sections could easily serve as assessments or study guide activities. The online links, available through the Web address above, are extensive and worthwhile. The workbook is compact, with perforated pages for turning in student work if desired. The graphics are extensive and impressive, similar to many that one might find in any one of numerous texts or ancillary materials.

Much of the graphics are replicated in full color on the media presentation CD, although they are in high quality black and white/gray tone in the print. Rather than being a minus for the product, the lack of color graphics clearly helps keep the cost down low enough that it would not be a burden to have students purchase the module as a supplemental workbook/study guide for use with any major freshmen level or high school level text. Excellent illustrations in the print, electronic media (CD and Web site), copious links to much useful information are pluses. The PowerPoint files are editable, allowing one to personalize them if desired. The disk ran well on Windows and Mac platforms.

I think that either alone, but certainly together, these two are valuable resources. They will allow for concentrated review/study guide activities with the print media, and give an excellent set of graphics which are editable for classroom presentations. The universal nature of the materials makes them useful with multiple texts, not just the Biozone products.

Chris K. Jervis
Teacher
Auburn High School
Riner, VA 24149

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