Thursday, May 7, 2015
Reading Response: Rationale
Books with Science
Title: The Hot Zone
Author: Richard Preston
Publisher: Anchor Books
Copyright: 1995
ISBN#: 9780385495226
Genre: Non Fiction
Library Location: Amarillo Library Southwest
Summary:
The Hot Zone tracks the Ebola outbreak from the
late 70s through the 90s. Richard Preston recounts the experiences of physicians, scientists, and personnel that were involved in various Ebola outbreaks. As he recounts the emergence of Ebola, something horrifying happens. Ebola an infectious virus thought to be only in Africa, makes it to a monkey house in the USA.
Personal Comments:
This book is a very thought provoking tale of the emergence of one of the most deadly viruses in the world. Not only is it a thought provoking but also horrifying in the fact that it actually made it into the USA so very easily. All it took was a company importing monkeys for medical research from a disreputable company in the Philippines. Luckily enough the monkey house was able to be contained without any of the personnel dying, although there were a few scares when a few people became sick. Richard Preston made a very interesting point at the conclusion of the book which was that possibly these viruses that come out of the rain forest could be nature’s way of fighting back against the human race.
Suggested Use in Classroom:
In my classroom observations AP biology students were assigned this book for reading. I think that this book is something that every inspired scientist or medical field worker should read. It brings awareness about deadly disease and the need to protect ourselves against it. This book is also one that can rouse the student’s interest in the science of diseases and how they are treated. Not only that but I could inspire a student to get their education so they may do further research and possibly find cures for deadly diseases such as Ebola.
Title: Origin of Species
Author: Charles Darwin
Publisher: Signet
Copyright: 2003
ISBN#: 0451529065
Genre: Non Fiction
Library Location: Amarillo Library
Summary:
The Origin of Species written by Charles Darwin who laid the foundation for the Theory of Evolution. This book carefully documents his experiments that he conducted to test his theories. It also documents his results and findings from the experiments that he conducted. This book contributed to public controversy at his publication and revolutionized the course of science still to this day.
Personal Comments:
I have a very strong love for Biology and I am an avid believer in the theory of Evolution. Charles Darwin’s book, although controversial gave scientist over the years something to think about when thinking about our own origins and the origins of the other creatures that inhabit this planet. And over the years scientists have been able to test the theory with the development of technology to so support that Evolution does indeed exist.
Suggested Use in Classroom:
When discussing the theory of evolution it is important to understand where the theory came from and who originally introduced it. I would weave reading from this book in with the unit on Evolution. While some of the technical terms be tricky to understand with the way Darwin words things, I think that including with the lessons and allowing students to ask for clarification would definitely enrich a unit about Evolution.
Title: Andromeda Strain
Author: Michael Crichton
Publisher: Harper
ISBN#: 9780061703157
Genre: Fiction
Library Location: Amarillo Library Southwest
Summary:
Five prominent biophysicists give the United States government an urgent warning: sterilization procedures for returning space probes may be inadequate to guarantee uncontaminated re-entry to the atmosphere. Two years later, Project Scoop sends seventeen satellites into the fringes of space in order to 'collect organisms and dust for study'. Then a probe falls to the earth, landing in a desolate area of northeastern Arizona. A little while later, in the nearby town of Piedmont, bodies are discovered heaped and flung across the ground, faces locked in frozen surprise. But the terror has only just begun, because when they try to find the cause of death, the scientists don't realize just what kind of unearthly danger they are dealing with.
Personal Comments:
Michael Crichton weaves an exciting and interesting tale involving the scientists that are trying to decipher the mysterious deaths of people found near where a space probe has crashed. While the story is fiction the science that is depicted from what I could tell is for the most part accurate. Michael Crichton is known for carefully researching the science that he includes in in this novels.
Suggested Use in Classroom:
I think this book could definitely be used in the classroom with taking into account for age appropriateness. Not only does this give students something fun and engaging to read, but it is still something that is related to science. Books like this one can spark a student’s interest in science and promote them to find out more about the science that being weaved into the story. It’s all about using tools like these to get students to want to learn more about science.
Title: Jurassic Park
Author: Michael Crichton
Publisher: Knopf
Copyright:1990
ISBN#: 0394588169
Genre: Fiction
Library Location: Amarillo Public Library Southwest
Genre: Fiction
Library Location: Amarillo Public Library Southwest
Summary:
Dr. Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler are approached by a man, John Hammond, who wants them to come and visit his new amusement park. Because they are well known scientists in the field of Paleontology and Paleobotany he wants them to observe his park so they may deem it safe for future visitors. Their visit turns out to be an exciting adventure filled with science and believe it or not, the long extinct dinosaur.
Personal Comments:
Again i thought to include another book this exciting for my students to read. Michael Crichton's ability to include true science in a completely fictional and far fetched story is genius. the science that was included in the science behind DNA was completely accurate, except for the bringing dinosaurs back. But at the same time he makes you question and think that with the advancement of technology could it someday be possible to bring the dinosaurs back from extinction?
Suggested Use in Classroom:
While this book is completely fiction it can definitely have its uses in the classroom. used as supplemental reading for a unit about DNA, it can engage student interest in the science behind DNA which can be very dry depending out it is presented. This book without a doubt can encourage students to ask the instructor questions about certain aspects of the science used in the book and its accuracy. It can also generate some very interesting class discussion about ethics when it comes to scientific experimentation.
Website Evaluations
1. Name of Website: Discovery
3. Copyright date and/or last update: © 2015 Discovery
4. Author Organization/credentials: Discovery
Communications, LLC
5. Website design and ease of navigation:
The Discovery website
design was not only aesthetically pleasing but navigation was fairly easy to
accomplish. Links to access the various pages on the website were very well
placed on the top of page and as a bar that can be expanded that runs on the
side of the page which has more links. I would also like to note that all of
the videos and articles are displayed with large thumbnails in a grid style
which makes it very easy for people that might have some eye sight problems to
read and to click on. In addition, when viewing the topics page, there aren’t
just plain hyperlinks. There are eye catching pictures associated with the
various videos and articles associated with the topics that catch your interest
and make you want to actually view the video or read the article. The websites
background and text colors are displayed in a way that are colorful but not so
colorful that it takes away from being able to read and navigate the website.
6. Response and recommendation for use:
The wealth of
information on this site alone makes it very recommendable for using in a high
school biology classroom. There are articles and videos that can be read or
watched in the classroom or outside the classroom. These videos and articles
can be used in a lesson as a supplement to keep the students interested on the
subject of the lesson and for them to learn more information. For instance, if
you are doing a lesson about the earth and its conservation, there are many
videos and articles that the students can watch or read that are still on task
of the subject but fun and interesting. This can help break up the monotony of
just sitting and listening to a lecture. This is something that can be used to
engage the students, even on topics of science that might not be as interesting
as others.
1. Name of Website: Animal Planet
3. Copyright date and/or last update: ©2015 Discovery
4. Author Organization/credentials: Discovery, LLC
5. Website design and ease of navigation:
The Animal Planet
website was fun and very easy to navigate. The links of the website are
accessible and easy to see. The color pallet used for this website are subdued
but beautiful and do not take away from the content of the website which I
think is very important if you want to keep people exploring the website. On
the homepage there are featured videos and articles that can easily and quickly
be scrolled through with an arrow on the right center part of the page. The way
they designed the homepage I thought was very innovative because not only does
it look nice but when someone first brings up the homepage, the features not
only catch the eye but also it gives the visitor of the site a chance see the
topic of a video or article that they find interesting. It basically initiates
the exploration of the site and the wealth of the information and content.
6. Response and recommendation for use:
A high school biology class, in my opinion,
isn’t complete without the discussion of the various animals that inhabit our
earth today. The Animal Planet website could be used to help supplement a
lesson on the ecosystem and the animals living in that ecosystem. Instead of
just talking in a lecture to the students about the way a big cat hunts and
catches its prey, why not watch a live action video of a big cat hunting?
Especially in science, sometimes it’s not just enough to learn about something
from a book or lecture, it must be seen if at all possible. Be it from a live
demonstration or a live action video it can give a student better understanding
and learning when they are able to actually see the full process of something.
The website can be used inside or outside of the classroom, which makes it
invaluable. For example, if something is discussed in class but time might have
run out for students to ask further questions, they can visit the website and
gain more information themselves. Not only that, but it can generate interest
on topics that students can come ask the teacher about when they have come
across something new while exploring the website.
1. Name of Website: Science Channel
3. Copyright date and/or last update: ©2015 Discovery
4. Author Organization/credentials: Discovery, LLC
5. Website design and ease of navigation:
The
design of this website was very pleasing to the eye with the black background
and silver accents that do not take away from the content of site. The links to
the various areas of the site are well placed that make them easy to locate.
The font, font sizes, and text colors used for the links and content of the
website also make things easy to locate and read. On the homepage the latest
videos are laid out in a grid style each with an eye catching thumbnail to
click on to watch the video. Also, there is a very well placed search bar at
the top right hand corner of the site for someone that is trying to find
information about a specific subject. Overall, the site was very user friendly
and easy to navigate which is very important for someone exploring the website
looking for information.
6. Response and recommendation for use:
This
website is another one of Discovery’s websites that again can be used inside or
outside of the classroom. In the class it can be used to supplement learning
when teaching lessons. The part of the section of the website that caught my
attention was the section about scientific discoveries. There is wealth of
information about current and past scientific discoveries that I feel is
important for science students to learn and know about. Not only can the
students learn something from the videos and articles in this section, but it
can generate some very interesting class discussions about the scientific
discoveries that have been made in the past and brand new discoveries. Again
these videos and articles break up the monotony of just sitting and listening
to a lecture or reading out of a text book. Half of the battle is getting the
students engaged and this website is an invaluable tool that can help achieve
that engagement.
1. Name of Website: National Geographic
3. Copyright date and/or last update: ©1996-2015
4. Author Organization/credentials: National Geographic
Society
5. Website design and ease of navigation:
The National Geographic
website has a very simple but elegant design. The colors for the background and
text are white with black text. This makes it very easy to see and navigate
through all of the links to the various sections of content. The links are set
up in tabs at the top of the page. When you click a tab you can then see the
links to the sections within that tab and easily navigate through content of
that section. All of the thumbnails for the videos and articles are large and
eye catching so that one can easily view or read about something that has
caught their interest. Not only that but everything is displayed in a nice and
organized way which definitely contributes to the ease of navigating the
website.
6. Response and recommendation for use:
As a future high
school biology teacher I could not leave out the National Geographic website. National
Geographic has a wealth of information about the environment and what is going
on with it. The environment is something that is so very important for students
of biology to learn about and it must not be skimmed over. The videos and
articles in the environmental section in the website can be used to supplement
a lesson over the environment. Not only are the articles and videos
supplemental to learning, they are interesting and engaging. I cannot stress
more how engagement is important for learning of students. In my opinion is
there is no engagement or interest, then then there is no learning. This
website can be used as a tool help engage the students and generate their
interest in scientific topics. When students are engaged in a topic,
interesting class discussion can ensue, which is so very important the learning
of students.
1. Name of Website: Public Broadcasting Service
3. Copyright date and/or last update: ©1995-2015
4. Author Organization/credentials: Public Broadcasting
Service
5. Website design and ease of navigation:
The
design of the PBS website is very elegant. What I found beautiful is as you
scroll from the top of the page to the bottom of the page the background color
changes from white, to silver, to light blue, to dark blue. Even though it does
this, it doesn’t take away from the text or links of the page. It doesn’t
distract or make the content of the page hard to see which is very important
for being able to navigate through the website. Also, the main links for the
site are easily located at the top and sub-categories are easily located by the
drop down menus that come down when the main sections are clicked. The section
that I was most interested in at this website the scientific section and I was
able to access and navigate through the section with ease.
6. Response and recommendation for use:
PBS has always been
known for their educational content for adults and children. Because of that I
thought it was very important to include PBS in my evaluation. Being a future
biology teacher I accessed their scientific section and was very pleased with seeing
the wealth of educational videos that pertained to science. Many of the videos
are from the Nova series which are educational yet interesting and could be
used for students inside or outside of the classroom. These videos could be
viewed in the classroom to introduce a topic when starting a new unit. The
videos can also be used as supplemental lesson material. Videos like these can
help students to understand what they are learning about in the lessons of the
current unit content. This makes them invaluable for the student and teacher as
they journey through the world of science.
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