Standards (GPS) for biology

SB1: Students will analyze the nature between structures and functions in living cells

SB2: Students will analyze how biological traits are passed on to successive generations.

SB3. Students will derive the relationship between single-celled and multi-celled organisms and the increasing complexity of systems

SB4. Students will assess the dependence of all organisms on one another and the flow of energy and matter within their ecosystems.

SB5. Students will evaluate the role of natural selection in the development of the theory of evolution.

Standards: (ISTE)

1. Basic Operations and Concepts

Students learned how to operate Palm PDA’s for organization as well as classroom projects.

2. Social, Ethical, and Human Issues

Students investigated biomedical ethics and other biology related controversial issues, and attempted to develop a blog-based debate.

3. Technology Productivity Tools

Students used Microsoft Word on the Palm (Documents-To-Go) to develop content for a biology web site.

4. Technology Communications Tools

Students attempted to use PDA’s in the wireless classroom to communicate via e-mail with the teacher. Students gave each other feedback by IR beaming assignments to each other, as well as to the teacher. Some students used PDA’s to compose and record interviews with professionals in the field.

5. Technology Research tools

Students used PDA’s to research a variety of topics on the Internet

6. Technology Problem-solving and Decision-making Tools

Some students made critical judgments about the value of web sites, particular activities, animations, and simulations.