Explanation of natural phenomena at one level of biological organisation almost always involves causes that are found at other levels. Although scientists thinking across levels find it easy to explain physiological phenomena, students often perceive this as a challenge. We developed a new graphic organiser called Zoom Map, which is a mode for…

In our Fundamentals of Genetics lab, students perform a wide variety of labs to reinforce and extend the topics covered in lecture. I developed an active-learning lab to augment the lecture topic of mutagenesis. In this lab exercise, students determine if a compound they bring from home is a mutagen. Students are required to read extensive…

A description is provided of Los Angeles Valley College's Life Science Learning Center (LSLC), which provides: (1) a resource center addressed to the individualized learning needs of students served by the Biology Department; (2) a learning environment enabling students to proceed in self-paced, activity-centered, concept-oriented experiences in…

This study was undertaken to determine the effects of individualized instruction on enrollment, attrition, achievement, and student attitude in a general biology course for non-science majors. Fifteen auto-tutorial minicourses were designed for use in the laboratory part of the course, each consisting of a printed study guide, slide-tape module,…

Contains articles describing: (1) a writing laboratory at Cedar Crest College (Pennsylvania); (2) 12 biology minicourses used at Elizabethtown Community College (Kentucky); (3) the "Self-Persuasion for Study Improvement Project" at East Tennessee State University; and (4) a vocabulary acquisition program used to help University of North Carolina…

In a Biology laboratory for the non-science major, a series of programed booklets, 8mm cartridge films, and 35mm slides were used with standard laboratory equipment and materials. By the end of the second semester, 28 programed sequences with linear and branching strategies had been designed and tested. Students completed attitude questionnaires…