New records of trematode and acanthocephalan species in frogs in Erzurum Province, Turkey

Summary A total of 32 frogs of two species (Rana macrocnemis, Pelophylax ridibundus) that were dissected in some lectures in Ataturk University Science Faculty Biology Department were investigated parasitologically even after the lectures between 2008 and 2014. 9 digenean species (Cephalogonimus retusus [Cephalogonimidae]; Diplodiscus subclavatus [Paramphistomotidae]; Gorgodera cygnoides, Gorgoderina vitelliloba [Gorgoderidae]; Haplometra cylindracea, Haematoloechus variegatus, Opisthioglyphe ranae, Skrjabinoeces similis and Skrjabinoeces breviansa [Plagiorchiidae]), 3 acanthocephalan species (Acanthocephalus ranae, Centrorhynchus sp., Pomphorhynchus laevis) were found. All the parasites are the first record for Erzurum province, Cephalogonimus retusus and Skrjabinoeces similis are the first records of the parasite fauna of Turkey.

Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) Fauna of Ordu (Turkey) Province

Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are one of the most populous families of Diptera. In this study, it was aimed to determine the fauna of fruit flies in Ordu province. Adult specimens were collected from the research region in 2016-2017 years. All the specimens were identified by examining their morphological characters in Gaziantep University, Biology Department, Entomology Laboratory. As a result, thirty-three species belonging to 11 genera from three subfamilies were identified. All species are recorded for the first time from Ordu province. Material examined and wing photographs of the species are presented.

Using Wikipedia to teach scholarly peer review

This paper outlines a creative Wikipedia-based project developed by the University of Kansas (KU) Libraries and the KU Biology Department. Inspired by the tenets of open pedagogy, the purpose of this project is to use Wikipedia as a way for students to learn about the scholarly peer review process while also producing material that can be shared and used by the world outside the classroom. The paper is divided into three sections, with the first summarizing pertinent related literature related to the paper’s topic. From here, the paper describes the proposed assignment, detailing a process wherein students write new articles for the encyclopedia which are then anonymously peer reviewed by other students in the class; when articles are deemed acceptable, they are published via Wikipedia. The parallels between this project and academic peer review are emphasized throughout. The paper closes by discussing the importance of this project, arguing that it fills a known scholarly need, actively produces knowledge, furthers the aims of the open access movement, and furthers scientific outreach initiatives.

Evaluation of a Questionnaire Measuring University Students’ Sense of Belonging to and Involvement in a Biology Department

The article presents an instrument measuring university students’ sense of belonging to and involvement in their "home" department (biology), as well as initial validity evidence supporting the proposed use of the instrument.

Pelatihan Teknik Budidaya Mencit Putih (Mus musculus L.) sebagai Peluang Usaha Kreatif kepada Siswa SMAN 5 Bukittinggi

A marked increase in demand for white mice (Mus musclulus L., mammals) in the Indonesian market has been attributed to the price soar, while the availability of mice with a standardized quality remains very limited. Considering such condition, a business focusing on standardized farm of white mice should be actively socialized to younger people thereby elevating their enthusiasm in the entrepreneurship. This community service program aimed to provide insights as well as to train the basic skills in white mouse farming for students of the National High School Number 5 Bukittinggi. The program has been carried out for one day in the Biology Department, Andalas University with 45 participants. We deployed the lectures and hands-on practice on the aspects of white mouse farming. All participants have directly practiced various principle techniques in mice farming such as handling, sexing, mating, and raising brooders. This activity has increased the interest of the participants in such creative business. In the future, some efforts should be made to ensure the sustainability of the program by involving the participants from other schools, teachers and unemployed youth in West Sumatra.

The difference in perception between teachers and first-year students with regard to the effective teacher and effective teaching

The purpose of this study is to highlight the significant differences emerging from a comparison between the perceptions of teachers and first-year students of the SVT license regarding the characteristics of the effective teacher and the teaching. 41 teachers and 290 students, from the Biology department of the Dhar El Mehraz faculty of Science, were asked to rank 60 items according to their degree of importance on a Likert scale. It has been found that students are mainly vulnerable to university entrance, opt for academic and emotional support characteristics. On their part, teachers, aware of the problems and constraints that these students face, strive to provide remedies for their affiliation and their fulfillment.

The Role of Google Classroom Accompanied by YouTube Media in Efforts to Improve The Quality of Microteaching Lectures in The Biology Department of IAIN Kerinci

This research is motivated by the unavailability of video recorder that serves to provide feedback on student performance in microteaching lectures. The purpose of this study was to obtain a description of student responses to the use of google classroom with youtube media in microteaching lectures and how the role of google classroom accompanied by youtube media in improving the quality of microteaching lectures. The researcher recorded the student’s performance, uploaded it to the youtube channel, and displayed it via google classroom. The method used is descriptive methods. The results showed that 94% of students agreed that the use of Google Classroom along with YouTube media could provide constructive feedback to students, 100% of students agreed with the use that could be an introspection material for students' teaching skills, and 90.6% of students agreed that through the use of it can improve the quality of microteaching lectures, which is characterized by an increase in students' teaching skills. The intended teaching skills are opening lessons, explaining material, questioning, giving reinforcement, making variation, using media, class management, and closing lessons. The improvement of the quality of microteaching lectures is in the medium category with <N-Gain> value of students by 0.54.