Using 2 different text books for a subject: Good idea or bad?

[akira88]

for chem and biol i would have two text books if you can be bothered, biol more importantly.

I would second the advice to have at least two textbooks for bio. Firstly, because sometimes one textbook will explain a difficult topic in a way that suits you better; but secondly, and more importantly, each textbook (for Vic at least) has different "case studies" for each general topic - particularly so when you have to look at individual examples of hormones, genetic technologies, or weird sex chromosome arrangements (bees, for instance.) Often one of these case studies, or a similar one, will pop up in an exam, so it's useful to have the background knowledge instead of having to figure it out from the question.

Which two brands of textbooks did you use for your chem and bio? I'm just interested to know

For bio, in terms of textbooks, I used Jacaranda and "Biozone" (http://www.biozone.com.au/Review/AUS/AUS-06-1.php) mainly, with reference to Heinemann. But to be completely honest, my main reference was Wikipedia. I am confident that, if you look at the syllabus carefully, you can learn at least half of the bio course from Wiki alone - although then again, maybe I would have done better than a SS of 43 if I hadn't!

Oh alright, I have heinemann and am wondering if getting another textbook would be handy. Definitely agree with the different case studies, and I have used Wiki for a bit of help with my holiday homework

[NE2000]

depends on the subject, and the text book. some text books i saw (but werent used by our school) were absolute shockers... for chem and biol i would have two text books if you can be bothered, biol more importantly. dont bother getting like different summary books, they're much less useful and will all contain the same stuff. text books, however, are not always based on the study design and will often contain either irrelevant things, omit things, or things which VCAA (in their wisdom) thinks would be a surprise challenge onthe exam (but which, if you used that text book, are very obvious). hence i thought for biol and chem, two textbooks ensured i hadnt left anything out of my study.

Which two brands of textbooks did you use for your chem and bio? I'm just interested to know

I'll give my experience as well if that's ok

For bio I used Nature (which was very good) and Nelson (not so good, but I think one of the examples in one of the exams was mentioned in the book)

For chem I used Nelson (good for unit 4) and Heinemann (very good)

[jejak]

For bio I used Nature (which was very good) and Nelson (not so good, but I think one of the examples in one of the exams was mentioned in the book)

By "Nature" do you mean Jacaranda "Nature of Biology"? If so, I agree that it's really good. Haven't used Nelson but as you say, no harm reading it for the case studies.

Oh alright, I have heinemann and am wondering if getting another textbook would be handy. Definitely agree with the different case studies [...]

If you're using Heinemann and you want just one other textbook, go with Jacaranda "Nature of Biology" as NE2000 said. It's huge but awesome.

[...] and I have used Wiki for a bit of help with my holiday homework

Good on you! I'm a Wikiholic.

As far as Web resources go, I can't believe I forgot to mention this:

MIT Open Courseware AP Biology
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/hs/biology/biology/index.htm

A lot of the concepts in the US' "AP Biology" are in the new VCE syllabus, so I found these videos helpful - especially on meiosis, which I phayled to understand for a while.

Good luck!

[NE2000]

For bio I used Nature (which was very good) and Nelson (not so good, but I think one of the examples in one of the exams was mentioned in the book)

By "Nature" do you mean Jacaranda "Nature of Biology"? If so, I agree that it's really good. Haven't used Nelson but as you say, no harm reading it for the case studies.

lol yes, sorry, Nature = Nature of Biology

[herzy]

i think i used 'nature of biology' and nelson for biology. (the big one with the fish on the front, and the orange one). the thin one (nelson) was good for concepts, but NOB had a lot of extra stuff in it which is good for broadening your knowledge... i learnt from nob but used the thin one to revise concepts
the point made about the case studies is particularly valid - often 'unique examples' used by VCAA can be found in various text books (e.g. the tasmanian devils of 2008 midyear are discussed, albeit briefly, in nelson but no others)

[superflya]

more textbooks = more resources = improved likelihood of you learning more knowledge (that are related to the course structure)

why not? =P

not necessarily

[akira88]

depends on the subject, and the text book. some text books i saw (but werent used by our school) were absolute shockers... for chem and biol i would have two text books if you can be bothered, biol more importantly. dont bother getting like different summary books, they're much less useful and will all contain the same stuff. text books, however, are not always based on the study design and will often contain either irrelevant things, omit things, or things which VCAA (in their wisdom) thinks would be a surprise challenge onthe exam (but which, if you used that text book, are very obvious). hence i thought for biol and chem, two textbooks ensured i hadnt left anything out of my study.

Which two brands of textbooks did you use for your chem and bio? I'm just interested to know

I'll give my experience as well if that's ok

For bio I used Nature (which was very good) and Nelson (not so good, but I think one of the examples in one of the exams was mentioned in the book)

For chem I used Nelson (good for unit 4) and Heinemann (very good)

Ooh yes i have Heinemann for chemistry!

[akira88]

For bio I used Nature (which was very good) and Nelson (not so good, but I think one of the examples in one of the exams was mentioned in the book)

By "Nature" do you mean Jacaranda "Nature of Biology"? If so, I agree that it's really good. Haven't used Nelson but as you say, no harm reading it for the case studies.

Oh alright, I have heinemann and am wondering if getting another textbook would be handy. Definitely agree with the different case studies [...]

If you're using Heinemann and you want just one other textbook, go with Jacaranda "Nature of Biology" as NE2000 said. It's huge but awesome.

[...] and I have used Wiki for a bit of help with my holiday homework

Good on you! I'm a Wikiholic.

As far as Web resources go, I can't believe I forgot to mention this:

MIT Open Courseware AP Biology
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/hs/biology/biology/index.htm

A lot of the concepts in the US' "AP Biology" are in the new VCE syllabus, so I found these videos helpful - especially on meiosis, which I phayled to understand for a while.

Good luck!

Thanks a heap for the link!

[herzy]

i also had heinemann for chem, twas fine didnt seem to lack anything

[kenhung123]

If your in year 12 I'm not sure if you have time to do that. If year 11, sure.