Plant Biochemistry

wikis

2008-12-17T19:15:00.000-08:00

Wikis have potential value for instructional uses. Some of my thoughts on this are on a wiki I have created, http://plantlipidbiochemistry.pbwiki.com/. Wikis versus blogging. As I understand wikis have much more extensive and sophisticated setting and security options than blogs. On the other hand blogging is simpler and wiki options can cost $$.

Google Docs and Google Apps

2008-12-08T08:49:00.000-08:00

I find using the “Track Changes” of Word highly beneficial when working on documents with others. It can be very helpful to see exactly what changes were made and use the automated function to find them all and accept, reject or further change them. I’m trying to figure out to at least do such editing at least at a primitive level in Google Docs and did not find how to do so yet and I’ll keep looking. An issue with using “Track Changes” of Word is that it get’s confusing with more than two people working on it. In such circumstances we have generally had to agree on the order of who edits it and by when. I understand there may be advantages in using Google Docs in this regard and hopefully will learn more about this.

I used to use Google Scholar frequently and still find it handy especially when using a computer not on the university campus. For seeking information relevant to my research of plant science/biochemistry/nutrition/renewable oils I find scientific databases such as Web of Science and WepSpirs much more useful and systematic. Usually the most recent publications on the subject are of most interest and with Google Scholar chronologically so easily. For maps I have usually used MapQuest but I like Google Maps a lot too. Google Earth is a lot of fun to play around with. I searched for articles in my research fields in "Knol" but did not find any and it would seem to me that online encylopedias are sufficient for such purposes such as Encylopedia Briticanica Online and Wikipedia. "Reader" could have me spending more time on the computer than I spend already which is too much for my liking. I'm on numerous listserves and recieve "feeds" of all sorts already -- more than I can keep up with as is.

In the graduate level Plant Biochemistry class I teach it is not clear if Google Docs or Apps would be useful. It will be interesting to get ideas on this from Web Savvy students in the class.

I see potential value of blogging for...

2008-12-05T14:57:00.001-08:00

I see potential value of blogging for teaching and the class I am involved with. It is useful to learn about Podcasting although apart for potentially taping classes the value for my teaching is not immediately evident. Other educators or students may teach me otherwise. Regarding potentially taping classes it would be nice for them to be posted on the web. A caveat of course is resources utilized for the time for someone to do the taping and the space utilized on a web server. The resources needed for maintaining them on a web server continue to go down so this should be well justified if not now in the not-to-distant future. The resources for someone to do the taping is harder to justify. I would like for some of my classes to be taped next spring for some evaluation of this. Know who I can contact to do this Patsy?

Podcasts

2008-11-05T07:29:00.000-08:00

Have any of you had podcasts used in any of your courses? If so have they helped in your learning? Any ideas about how they might be useful for this course? They're easy to make, e.g. http://dhild.podbean.com/. I have been looking for useful podcasts related to plant biochemistry but have not found any. Let me know if you know of any. Of general interest to biochemists are podcasts on how chemical elements in the universe came to be at iTunesU from UC-Davis, Unveiling Nature's Secrets.

Also the lectures of an intro. chemistry class from Case Western are available as free audio and video podcasts, Chem 105.

Assignment 1

2008-10-22T19:00:00.000-07:00

A question was asked that if we greatly increase crop yields by genetic enhancement/breeding and/or management practices won’t we take too much from the ground and deplete mother earth? Please provide an answer to this question including whether you think it will deplete the ground or not and why you think as you state. For an example let’s say we increase the harvested dry matter yield of a biomass crop from 20,000 kg/ha to 50,000 kg/ha and this harvested material is converted into energy. Post your answer to this blog.

Lecture by EBI Director, Chris Somerville, on plants and energy

2008-10-07T06:49:00.000-07:00

Why Plant Biochemistry

2008-10-06T18:58:00.000-07:00

The biochemistry of plants is fundamental to all life on earth. The molecular building blocks of humans and other animals are made in plants including fixed carbon and nitrogen. Important nutritional components such as most vitamins, essential amino acids, fatty acids including omega-3 fatty acids are made in plants. Hydrocarbon reserves including oil, coal and natural gas originates with photosynthesis in plants. Plants are becoming increasingly important sources of renewable chemicals for industry.