Professional Telecommunications: How to Get the Most from the NABT Electronic Bulletin Board and Other Useful Databases

Abstract:: This workshop demonstrates on-line use of the national electronic bulletin board, complete with electronic mail started in 1987 by the National Association of Biology Teachers. Once on-line, 14 special interest areas are available, such as AP- Biology, magazine and book reviews, ABT Journal, NABT membership services, question and answer forum, software reviews, and swap/sale of used equipment. Also available for downloading onto your computer are extensive files of labs, graphics, and handouts. Discussions of this and other databases will emphasize the power of these new professional communication tools. Note: This workshop is not included in the published proceedings volume because it was not submitted by the author.

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The Scientific Method: An Introduction Using Reaction Time

Abstract:: Reaction time has many advantages for the introduction of the scientific method--the subject is familiar, many experiments are possible, and students enjoy competition. In our Introductory Biology courses, our students formulate and test a hypothesis about reaction time. We use Kosinski's Reaction Time software, that records reaction times and then analyzes them statistically using the chi-square median test. Students then write a paper that either rejects or fails to reject their null hypothesis. An online literature review on reaction time helps the students incorporate primary literature into their paper.

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Abstract:: This resource is a detailed report on the use of computer-based laboratory experiments in undergraduate physiology courses. It includes general course overviews, recommended laboratory exercises, student and instructor opinions of new teaching strategies, and evaluation of the efficacy of the teaching strategies presented.