Study Skills

Before you start Study Skills Click here for a collection of study skills websites and ideas.

How can there be seedless grapes and bananas, and how do they reproduce? Where did we come from? Why is carbon monoxide extremely poisonous? Why can't you tickle yourself? What causes the smell after rain? How do vitamins work? What's all this fuss about stem cells? What makes us yawn? Why are frogs growing extra legs out of their legs? Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
Biology is the study of living things and their vital processes. Because biology covers such a large area, it has been traditional to separate the study of plants (botany) from that of animals (zoology), and the study of structure of organisms (morphology) from that of function (physiology). Despite their apparent differences, all the subdivisions are interrelated by basic principles, so current practice tends to investigate those biological phenomena that all living things have in common. The advancement of knowledge and technology has resulted in further categorizations that include, but are far from restricted to: cell biology, population biology, ecology, genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, agriculture and physical anthropology. You are on the path to learning about most of these fields. Isn't it exciting!! I think so.

Hints to use this site

If you see text that is green this is from a previous years exam and covers the main points for that key word. Look out for these. Make time for revision and spend the time on the areas you are not strong in. Its easy to revise what you already know. 
As you work through the site make a mind-map or set of notes. It will help you learn the content. Here is a great reading from nobraintoosmall about note taking.

Devices 

Windows or Mac computers, Android devices are great to use while studying. Ipads/ Iphone/ Ipods and Apple devices cannot show the flash animations (unless you find a flash capable browser) which is a huge feature of this site. You can still watch videos and open the PowerPoints. If your looking for something different try a Google Chromebook. They are awesome for schoolwork. Tell your teachers about this site and they might even let you use it in class!

Other excellent sites (Only the best make it here)

www.scipad.co.nz - Excellent publisher of Biology and Science Study guides and supporter of this site, thanks scipad!
www.nobraintoosmall.co.nz - Fantastic resources to help with your study
NCEA Biology - Resources and exam papers from previous years
http://www.studyit.org.nz/ - Forums to ask questions, very good!
Bioblog - Great for scholarship, interesting commentary of Biology around NZ.
Electronic flashcards - Awesome place to make flipcards and has a free app as well.
http://www.bluebison.net/ - Source of the awesome cartoons found on this site. 

Teachers - The Flipped classroom

The flipped classroom a form of blended learning in which students learn online by watching videos/ taking part in animations and reading notes and work on problem sets with other students in class. This approach allows teachers to spend more time interacting with students instead of lecturing. If you would like to find out more about this click the following link.