"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

TOP OF PAGE

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

TOP OF PAGE