Biology Education - Directory of Online Resources on Teaching Biology

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See also Biology - Virtual Dissections ; Evolution ; Microbiology Education

Anatomy of the Eye

Actionbioscience.org
 "...the web site provides articles by scientists, science educators, and science students on issues related to seven biological challenges: environment, biodiversity, genomic mapping, genetic engineering, evolution, the age of biology and biology education."

  • Evolution: Intelligent Design?
    A Special Report from Natural History Magazine
    "Three proponents of Intelligent Design (ID) present their views of design in the natural world. Each view is immediately followed by a response from a proponent of evolution (EVO). The report, printed in its entirety, opens with an introduction by Natural History magazine and concludes with an overview of the ID movement."

American Media - Speaking of Faith
Weekly public radio series.

  • Evolution and Wonder (July 20, 2006)
    Understanding Charles Darwin
    "We'll take a fresh and thought-provoking look at Darwin's life and ideas. He did not argue against God but against a simple understanding of the world - its beauty, its brutality, and its unfolding creation."
    Able to: Read Text ; Download Program ; Streamline ; Podcast.

American Museum of Natural History (AMNH)

  • The Genomic Revolution
    An entertaining introduction to genes and the Human Genome Project.
    Sections include: Learning Lab ; Our Genetic Identity ; Our Genome ; Choosing Our Genes ; Changing Our Genes ; Reshaping Our World ; DNA Detectives ; Epilogue ; Resources ; Genomics at AMNH.

American RadioWorks

  • Intelligent Designs on Evolution
    Listen to the 2006 episode online or read the transcript.
    Sections include: Dover, PA ; Intelligent Design in the Classroom ; The Evolution of Science.
    By Mary Beth Kirchner

Animations and Interactive Tutorial - (dead link)
By Donald F. Slish, Dept. of Biological Science, Plattsburgh State University

APSnet - Plant Pathology Online
American Phytopathological Society

  • Education Center
    Sections include: K-12 Plant Pathways to Science ; Introductory Plant Pathology ; Advanced Plant Pathology ; Online Courses ; Short Courses ; Instructor Resources ; University Plant Pathology Home Pages ; Certification Program.
    • K-12 Plant Path-Ways to Science
      "The K-12 web-site was constructed to assist science and biology teachers in the K through 12 grades interested in developing interactive laboratories and demonstrations that teach the basic principles of science and the scientific method."

Association for Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE)
"...to promote information exchange among university and college educators actively concerned with teaching biology in a laboratory setting. The focus of ABLE is to improve the undergraduate biology laboratory experience by promoting the development and dissemination of interesting, innovative, and reliable laboratory exercises."

  • Hot Biology Web Sites
    Sections include: General Biology ; Links ; Animations ; Lab Manuals ; Suppliers ; Organizations ; On-line Journals ; Course Pages ; Digital Images

BBC - Gene Stories - (dead link)
Sections include: Who Am I ; Genes & History ; Genes & Health ; Gene Safari ; Future Human ; Court of Opinion ; DNA Detectives ; GM Food.

Beginner's Guide to Molecular Biology
Part of the Molecular Biology Notebook (MBN) Online
Bioinfromatics of IACR Rothamsted, UK

Beyond Bio 101: The Transformation of Undergraduate Biology Education
A report from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Bio - Art: The Art of Nature
On-line course offered by Paul D. Bell & Rob Tuckerman, Sir Sanford Fleming College

Bio-DiTRL
"Bio-DiTRL is the Bio-Database of the Digital Imaging and Resource Laboratory. It is an online database with digital media that can be used to teach biology...Bio-DiTRL operates as a non-profit journal of teaching resources. In it you will find images, animations, video clips and text excerpts that may be downloaded for use by subscribers. Anyone may search or browse by the appropriate links."
- University of Alberta, Biological Sciences

BioAnim: VRML Biology Page - Cell, Tissue, Human Body
 Interactive animated atlas of structure and function.
"...educational aid for teachers and students of biology or medicine! Learn there about the structure and function of the living cell, tissue and human body. It contains VRML virtual reality animations, drawings and images enhancing the understanding of biological structures and processes."
By Tomaz Amon

Biocomputing Tutorials
"These tutorials are designed for you to learn to use a number of standard bioinformatics and biocomputing tools."

BIODIDAC (English or French)
A Bank of Digital Resources for Teaching Biology
Sections include: Organismal Biology ; Human Biology ; Histology.
Objective: "Create a bank of digital images, video, and animations that can be used and adapted for teaching Biology."

BioEd Online - Biology Teacher Resources
"...the online educational resource for educators, students, and parents. BioEd Online utilizes state-of-the-art technology to give you instant access to reliable, cutting-edge information and educational tools for biology and related subjects."
Sections include: Presentations ; Slide Sets ; Teacher Resources ; Biology News ; Prof Dev ; Discussions ; Hot Topics.
- Baylor College of Medicine

BioInteractive
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute

  • Virtual Labs
    "Immerse yourself in the world of biology. Become a scientist in our virtual labs, where you can identify deadly pathogens, probe heart patients, dissect a leech, or assay antibodies!"
    Sections include: Bacterial ID Lab ; Cardiology Lab ; Neurophysiology Lab ; ELISA Assay.
  • Animations
    "Bacteria invade! Blood Flows! Watch the action in these clips"
  • Virtual Museum
    "...on microbes, cardiology, and the senses."
  • Web Video - (dead link)
    "View science lectures and learning modules based on science in the news."


__________

Biology in Motion
"Here you will find animations, interactive activities, and cartoons designed to make learning biology a richer, more engaging experience. After years of teaching biology in various colleges and universities, I began developing my own graphics and multimedia, mainly for in-class presentation. The many positive responses I received led me to initiate this website, where you will find an ever-growing collection of resources. New additions will include interactive tutorials, quizzes, and other activities, in addition to updated versions of the many biology cartoons currently gathering dust in my portfolio."
By Leif Saul

The Biology Project
"...an interactive online resource for learning biology, developed at The University of Arizona...It has been designed for biology students at the college and high school level, but is useful for medical students, physicians, science writers, and all types of interested people."

Biophysics Textbook Online
Sponsored by the Biophysical Society - (dead link).

Bristol Biomedical Image Archive
"...is an online collection of about 8500 medical, dental, and veterinary images for use in teaching and learning. All the images have been donated by academics working in the biomedical fields in different countries."
Hosted at the Institute for Learning and Research Technology, University of Bristol, UK.

Bugnet: Entomology Online
Online course offered by Paul D. Bell, Sir Sanford Fleming College

The Butterfly Lab
An Online Interactive by The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
"...allows visitors the opportunity to explore The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum's Judy Istock Butterfly Haven, located in Chicago, IL...In the lab you will learn how to manage the lives of over two hundred butterflies. This includes breeding, feeding and maintaining the caterpillars and butterflies within the Haven's artificial environment."
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Canada's Aquatic Environments
 "An interactive educational web site to promote awareness of Canada's aquatic resources." Topics include Habitats ; Animals ; Plants ; Human Interaction ; Research in Canada.
- University of Guelph

Cell Biology Animation
By John Kyrk

Critical Thinking in Biology: Case Problems
A Guide for Instructors
Peter Ommundsen, Selkirk College (Canada)

Digital Learning Center for Microbial Ecology
"The goal of the DLC-ME is to use computers and network technologies to provide students and teachers interested in microbiology and microbial ecology with resources that may aid their learning and teaching."
- Michigan State University

Directory of Environmental Programs - (dead link)
"Currently we have undergraduate and graduate level programs listed, with most 4 year institutions offering B.A. (Bachelor's of Arts), B.S. (Bachelor's of Science), Master's, or Doctoral programs. We have also just expanded to include Certificate and Associate degrees which may be offered by community or junior colleges as well as 4-year institutions."
- Society for Conservation Biology

DNA Interactive
"This site is dedicated to the moment on February 1953, when Jim Watson and Francis Crick discovered the double-helical structure of DNA - and to the scientists who breathed life into that structure."
Sections include: Timeline ; Code ; Manipulation ; Genome ; Applications ; Chronicle.
- The Dolan DNA Learning Center, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

Dolan DNA Learning Center - Genes in Education
"The mission of the Dolan DNA Learning Center is to prepare students and families to thrive in the gene age. We envision a day when all elementary students are exposed to principles of genetics and disease risk; when all high school students have the opportunity to do hands-on experiments with DNA; and when all families have access to genetic information they need to make informed health care choices."
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

Ecological Society of America - Education Section, ESA-EdWeb
An extensive collection of online resources for K-16 Ecology education.
Maintained by Bruce W. Grant, Department of Biology, Widener University

Embryology Tutorial
"This tutorial is part of an ongoing project designed to implement multimedia and computer-based learning materials in the university undergraduate classroom...is meant to supplement the presentation of standard videotape, laser video, digitized video and animation sequences in the traditional lecture period."
By Jeff Hardin, Dept. of Zoology, University of Wisconsin

ERIC Clearinghouse for Science, Mathematics, and Environmental Education
"The Clearinghouse is a component of the Educational Resources Information Center, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. Our goal is to provide access to the best information available for teaching and learning about science, mathematics, and the environment.

  • Anthrax Directory - Learning About Anthrax - (dead link)
    "This directory is intended as a resource for teachers, students, and parents seeking information about the bacterium that causes anthrax."

The ESG Biology Hybertextbook - (dead link)
"This hypertextbook is designed to supplement the course materials of 7.01 (MIT Introductory Biology) and give you additional tools to learn introductory molecular biology."

The eSkeletons Project
"The e-Skeletons Project website enables you to view the bones of a human, chimpanzee, and baboon and gather information about them from our osteology database... This site provides an interactive environment in which to examine and learn about skeletal anatomy. This includes: high-quality images of bones - labels of all muscles, articulations, and morphological features - high-resolution 3-D renderings of the skeletal elements in both animation (Quicktime) and interactive virtual reality (VRML) format."
Created at the University of Texas at Austin

Evolution and the Nature of Science Institutes (ENSI)
"The main objective of ENSI is to improve the teaching of evolution in High School Biology courses by encouraging teachers to teach evolutionary thinking in the context of a more complete understanding of modern scientific thinking (see Nickels et al article on this site)."
Lesson plans include: Nature of Science Lessons ; Evolution Lessons ; Origin of Life Lessons.

Evolution Resources From the National Academies
"This Web page is designed to provide easy access to books, position statements, and additional resources on evolution education and research. These materials have been produced by the National Academies and other sources. The site will be updated and expanded periodically."
- The National Academies

Evolution Website - (dead link) Charles Darwin
Topics include The Man and His Legacy ; The Origin Online ; Bibliography ; Debate ; Alife ; Life on Earth ; Extinction Files ; Fossil Roadshow ; Natural Selections.
Useful for all education levels.
BBC Online - Education - (dead link)

Fermilab Life Science Data (K-12)
Sections include: Flora and Fauna Databases ; Prairie ; Fermilab ; Slides.

Field Biology : Laboratory Studies in Population and Environmental Biology - (dead link)
A great example of a well designed and useful course page.
Dr. John C. Abbot, University of Texas, Austin

The Field Museum (Chicago, IL)

  • Biodiversity and Conservation: The Web of Life (English or Spanish)
    Sections include: Investigate Biodiversity ; Year of Biodiversity and Conservation ; Meet the Scientist ; Explore Global Diversity ; Events and Programs ; Take Action! ; Teaching Biodiversity ; Biodiversity Exhibitions.

Fish On Line
A Draft Guide to Learning and Teaching Ichthyology Using the FishBase Information System
By Daniel Pauly, Rainer Froese and Maria Lourdes Palomares.
"This guide provides a structure and case study material for a computer-based course in ichthyology for upper undergraduate and graduates students in biology or environmental science."

Forest Pathology Online
Online course offered by Paul D. Bell, Sir Sanford Fleming College

Genetic Science Learning Center
Sections include: Teachers ; Students & Teens ; Parents ; Basic Genetics ; Genetic Disorders ; Genetics in Society ; Genetic Thematic Units.
A joint project of the University of Utah Eccles Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, and Utah Museum of Natural History

immunobiology - animations .
"a set of animations designed by Blink Studio Ltd to accompany Immunobiology The Immune System in Health and Disease, 5th edition by Charles A. Janeway and Paul Travers"

Interactive Biochemistry
Created by Edward K. O'Neil and Charles M. Grisham, University of Virginia

Learn Biology Online
"The site is dedicated to providing information in Biology, and providing useful information, particularly to those people who are studying Biology, as the internal pages are closely related to many school curriculums across the world for teenage students. We also hope the site is of interest to Biology enthusiasts or people simply wishing to find out more about the world."
Sections include: Cell Biology ; Genetics and Evolution ; Growth and Regulation ; Adaptation and Learning ; Biology Dictionary.

Lewis & Clark as Naturalists - (dead link)
"This site has been designed to be particularly useful for elementary, middle and high school education and includes a Teachers' Guide and several lesson plans, but the content should be interesting and informative to the general public, whether in North America or abroad...The site contains images of museum specimens, scientific drawings, and field photos of the plant and animal species observed and described by Lewis and Clark, along with journal excerpts, historical notes, and references for many of these examples as well as the date and location of observation."
- National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian

Lifesign
Networked Moving Images for the Life Sciences
"..is a JISC [UK] funded project to develop, catalogue and evaluate the use of streaming media in learning and teaching in the broad life sciences."

Meiosis Tutorial - (dead link)
"This tutorial will go over each step of meiosis and the explanations will be enhanced with actual cell pictures and 3D animations. There will also be links within the text that leads to additional information relating to meiosis."

Microbiology Education Journal - (dead link)

Microbiology Video Library
"This is a growing collection of Microbiology teaching videos in QuickTime format."

Molecular Biology Notebook
A comprehensive package for the hands-on teaching of Molecular Biology.
"On the web site you will find links to more information on DNA and molecular biology, resources for students and teachers, sample experiments and discussion areas to exchange views with teachers, researchers, or students."
Bioinfromatics of IACR Rothamsted, UK

National Academy Press (free online versions)

National Geographic Channel - Journey of Man - (dead link) (December 2002)
Website companion to the TV broadcast.
"Dr. Spencer Wells takes his own incredible journey as he hunts down DNA clues to solve one of the big mysteries of the human race. Where do we come from? Spencer seeks blood samples to prove his theory that we all descended from a single man in Africa around 60,000 years ago."
Sections include: Genetics ; The Journey ; Background ; Build a Face.

National Institutes of Health - Office of Science Education (OSE)
"...coordinates science education activities at the NIH and develops and sponsors science education projects in house. These programs serve elementary, secondary, and college students and teachers and the public."

National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)

  • The Teaching of Evolution - (dead link)
    An NSTA Position Statement

Natural History Museum, London, England

  • Darwin Centre - (dead link)
    "It provides world-class storage facilities for precious collections, new laboratories, and access behind the scenes for visitors."
    • Darwin Centre Live - Watch Videos Online - (dead link)
      "Presentations by scientists on-site and broadcast live online - find out what's on this month, and watch video from our archive of over 100 events."
    • Darin Centre In-Site - (dead link)
      Sections include: Keeping & Caring ; Collecting & Society ; Tools & Methods ; Specimens & Knowledge ; Discovering & Understanding.

Neuroscience Tutorial
"An illustrated guide to the essential basics of clinical neuroscience created in conjunction with the first-year course for medical students."
The Washington University School of Medicine

New Scientist - Unnatural Selection
April 22, 2000 online article on Creationism.

Online Biology Book
"...The text items are modified lecture outlines I have developed over the many years of teaching freshman-level biology."
By M.J. Farabee

The Online Macromolecular Museum (OMM)
"...is a site for the display and study of macromolecules. Macromolecular structures, as discovered by crystallographic or NMR methods, are scientific objects in much the same sense as fossil bones or dried specimens: they can be archived, studied, and displayed in aesthetically pleasing, educational exhibits...The OMM's exhibits are interactive tutorials on individual molecules in which hypertextual explanations of important biochemical features are linked to illustrative renderings of the molecule at hand."

Online Tutorials - (dead link)
Microbiology
Leicester University

Quantitative Population Ecology
On-Line Lectures
Includes Syllabus, 13 Lecture Handouts, Labs, Statistical Tables, Internet Resources on Population on Population Ecology.
By Alexei Sharov, Dept. of Entomology, Virginia Tech

PBS - The Shape of Life (April 2002)
"A revolutionary eight-part television series that reveals the dramatic rise of the animal kingdom through the breakthroughs of scientific discovery."
Episodes include: Origins ; Life on the Move ; The First Hunter ; The Conquerors ; Survival Game ; Ultimate Animal ; Explosion of Life ; Bones, Brawn and Brains.
Sections include: Episodes Overview ; Explorations & Scientists ; The Animals ; Image Guide ; Activities & Resources ; Glossary.

Plant Cultures: Exploring Plants & People
"The central aim of Plant Cultures is to convey the richness and complexity of links between Britain and South Asia, through the story of plants and people. It is aimed at anyone interested in understanding the world around them."
Sections include: Plants ; Themes ; Stories ; Pictures ; Activities ; Schools.

The Problem of Species Extinction - (dead link)
"This section of World Book's Earth Day feature examines the importance of preserving Earth's plant and animal species."
Includes Classroom Activities
- World Book, Inc.

Problem-based Learning in Biology
 20 Case Examples
"The examples given here are suitable for use in a first year college biology lecture theater, but the method is applicable to any class size and educational level."
Peter Ommundsen, Selkirk College (Canada)

Physiology Educational Research Consortium (PERC)
"...a collaboration of physiology educators nationwide dedicated to improving life science education in general and physiology education in particular by conducting research, developing educational materials and techniques, and educating faculty."

Sea Urchin Embryology (SUE) (English or Spanish...and some French)
"...laboratory modules using sea urchin eggs and a web site developed by teachers and Stanford University researchers."
Sections include: Development ; SUE News ; Overheads ; Glossary ; Reference ; Skills ; Classic ; Safety ; Core Lab ; Primary Labs ; Support Lessons ; Information ; Curiosity ; Extended Research.

Teaching Evolution in the States
By Lawrence S. Lerner, Prof. Emeritus, California State University, Long Beach
Published by The Thomas B. Fordham Foundation, 2000.

Teaching the Fungal Tree of Life
Sections include: Lessons ; Glossary ; References ; Links.
"Each lesson is written with the High School Level in mind..."
By Dr. David Hibbett, Clark University.

Understanding Evolution
"Understanding Evolution is a non-commercial, education website, teaching the science and history of evolutionary biology. This site is here to help you understand what evolution is, how it works, how it factors into your life, how research in evolutionary biology is performed, and how ideas in this area have changed over time."
- University of California Museum of Paleontology and the National Center for Science Education.

University of Leicester - Dept. of Microbiology & Immunology

  • LabWork - Online Experiments
    Experiments include: How Big is a Bug ; Pink Bugs, Purple Bugs ; Bacterial Growth Curve ; Anti-body-Antigen Interactions ; Mr. Campbell's Kidney ; Rubella Testing ; Viruses Don't Grow ; Influenza Virus Haemagglutination ; Henrietta Lacks.
  • Online Tutorials - (dead link)
    Tutorials include: The Virology Time Machine ; Siptah's Revenge ; A Dose of the Pox... ; How Now Mad Cow ; The Panama Puzzle ; Virus Replication.

University of Rochester Medical Center - Department of Microbiology and Immunology

  • Online Lecture of HIV AIDS
    "This presentation is intended to provide a brief overview of some exciting areas in AIDS research, and is aimed at a general audience, from high school level up. The discussion includes a brief introduction to virology, details on the lifecycle and pathogenesis of HIV/AIDS, and concludes with a description of selected ongoing issues in AIDS research."

Virtual Biology Labs
- Rutgers University

Virtual Courseware for Earth and Environmental Sciences
Sections include: Earthquake ; Global Warming ; Virtual Earthquake ; Virtual Dating ; Virtual River ; Biology Labs On-Line (FlyLab).
- Natural Science Faculty, California State University, Los Angeles

Your Genes, Your Health
A Multimedia Guide to Genetic Disorders
Sections include: Fragile X Syndrome ; Marfan Syndrome ; Hemophilia ; Cystic Fibrosis ; Duchenne/Becker Muscular Dystrophy ; PKU ; Huntington Disease ; Neurofibromatosis ; Sickle Cell Disease ; Hemochromatosis ; Tay-Sachs Disease ; Beta-thalassemia ; Down Syndrome ; Alzheimer Disease ; Polycystic Kidney Disease.
- Dolan DNA Learning Center

YourGenome.org
Sections include: Beginner ("lay people and school students") ; Intermediate ("A-level") ; Advanced ("undergraduate") ; News & Forum ; Links.

zeroBio
"This is a website for high school science students. You'll find a variety of interactive quizzes, games and puzzles to practice what you're learning in Grade 9 Science, Grade 11 Biology and Grade 12 Biology. There are also some specific student resources for each course."
By Elliot Kimmel