Investigated was the kind of communication that takes place in oral teaching. Analysis of tape-recorded transcripts of fifteen half-hour biology lessons delivered to high school and college students revealed a high degree of teacher-dominance and infrequency of discussion involving several pupils. (CS)

Recommends use by teachers of new terminology regarding plant water relations. Includes definitions and Greek symbols for the following terms: water potential, water potential of cell, osmotic potential, matric potential, and pressure potential. (CS)

Describes an exercise that extends the actual determination of the amino acid sequence of a simple dipeptide to the theoretical determination of the complete primary structure of a larger polypeptide. Includes diagrams of display cards and duplicated sheets used in the theoretical portion of the exercise. (CS)

The meaning of words used in biology is discussed and a number of pitfalls for students are listed. The use of the words nucleus, transformation, toxin and sex in a number of textbooks is examined. (Author/EB)

A description of four rapid tests to determine the viability of stored seeds are given. Typical results are reported and some possible applications of the tests are discussed. (Author/EB)

Three examples of simulation exercises which require no special apparatus or materials are described. All are intended to be used with senior classes in secondary education but can be adapted for use with other groups. A list of requirements for setting up each simulation is appended. (Author/EB)

The purpose of keeping animals in schools and problems encountered in their maintenance are summarized. Two curriculum units, one on fruit flies and one on honey bees are described. Reasons for a widespread negative image of rural studies are discussed and positive outcomes of an environmental science course are presented. (Author/EB)

Describes benefits and techniques for utilizing Mormoniella vitripennis (jewel wasps) in teaching biology. Feeding, courtship, egg-laying, and insect behavior investigations are presented. (SL)

Presented is one individual's perception of problems related to reform in biological education, as exemplified within the English educational system. (PEB)

A classification task, involving the sorting of pictures of animals and plants into major orders and classes, was administered to 12 year old students from four schools in Great Britain. Students with above average intelligence did better if they had been taught by the Nuffield method. Students below average did better if they had been taught by a…

The leap of a grasshopper is used as an introduction to the capabilities of muscle, using Newton's laws of motion and other standard equations as the basis of the study. (Author/PEB)

Discusses the role of examinations in teaching biology. Comments on the aims of examinations, essay questions, scientific writing, testing for comprehension of practical problems, problems and judgments, statistical skills, practical examinations, and the general problems of examining. (JR)

Describes an exercise in which senior high school biology students used a computer to simulate genetic mapping. The exercise was designed to enhance the students' grasp of the concepts of linkage and crossing-over. (JR)

This examination of textbooks shows the very wide range of approaches adopted. Aims, content, and methods of presentation are compared. The uses of questions in the books are examined in detail. The characteristics of the books are related to the variety of approaches to the teaching of biology in schools. (Author/MA)

The technique of listing behavioral objectives for a teaching syllabus is briefly described. A list of 38 objectives is given for a previously described practical microbiology course and student reaction to them is discussed. Clearly written objectives are considered a powerful tool for the teacher, benefitting both teacher and student. (Author/MA)