Course ePortfolio

Experimental method reading: Koning, R.E. 1994. The Scientific Method. Plant Physiology Information Website. Scientific Method: A nice brief introduction to the scientific method. There are some minor discrepancies between this and how I teach it, but good reinforcement for the core concepts. FYI: I prefer the term "experimental method" to "scientific method" since there are many methods in science (See the reading "other methods in science" in the blackboard web readings folder), but the since the experimental method is the most important and powerful of them they are often used as synonyms.

Open textbook: look at chapter 2, especially the section titled major theories and models of learning for explanations of behaviorism and constructionism

Classical and operant conditioning: Download the powerpoint and run the show – if videos do not show, click on the black box that appears. Nice extra help with behaviorism, but a little heavy on reinforcing memorization of terms rather than concepts. Also see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy_mIEnnlF4 This is not from MERLOT, but one of my favorite demonstrations of operant conditioning.

Shows connections between concepts. Click on a concept and it will take you to a 2nd map – click on links until you get to a brief description. See the guide below to relevant information; don't be afraid to explore. This is an excellent way to see relationships between different concepts, one of the most helpful things you can do. Mechanics: Click mechanics then topics: Acceleration; Equilibrium; Newton's laws; Velocity Biology: Click Biology (on the right side of the page, not the main concept map). Excellent for review and integration: see Photosynthesis, cellular respiration, respiration (breathing) Waves: Base concept for energy transport and sensory systems lectures. Click periodic motion, then: simple harmonic motion; amplitude and period; Travelling waves; The Standing waves Simple machines: Click mechanics, then Work, energy and power, work concepts. Work through links (don't worry about equations) then explore each simple machine Energy transfer (i.e. convection, conduction and radiation): click on Heat and thermodynamics, then follow energy transfer. FYI, information on the greenhouse effect and global climate change is available here Sensory systems: Click directly on Light and Vision; Sound and Hearing Plate tectonics & Biogeochemical cycles: Click on Geophysics (right side of the page), then: Plate tectonics; Rock cycle and types; Explore the left side Chemistry: Click Chemistry (right side of page), then: Atoms and elements; Chemical Bonds: Explore ionic and covalent bonds

A nice set of practice questions that shows graphically the molecules and atoms involved in chemical equations to help you figure out how to balance them

1) Kimball's biology is an open textbook, it can be easily searched for any topic (including review topics). For your convenience, I have also included some specific relevant bookmarks to topics below: The Carbon cycle: The Nitrogen cycle. Species interactions: symbioses (mutualism, commensalism parasitism) micro-evolution speciation (macro-evolution) Food chains and trophic pyramids Meiosis Mitosis Biomagnification Respiratory system Circulatory system Acid rain

A simple graphical simulation of osmosis.