Douglas Wilkin, Ph.D.CK-12 Life Science Editordouglas@ck12.org

About The CK-12 Foundation

Mission: To reduce the cost of textbook materials for the K-12 market, both in the U.S. and worldwide.

Innovative, open-content, web-based, collaborative model.

Termed the “FlexBook”

Neeru Khosla, Executive Director

A Non-profit OrganizationLocated in Palo Alto, CA

FlexBooksAll content created by CK-12 is intended to

provide a foundation for the creation of FlexBooks – customized books that fit:

• the needs of students• the creativity and style of teachers• the goals of the district

Currently, content created by CK-12 is aligned to CA state standards, as well as over 20 other states.

Biology/Life Science FlexBooks• Provides a complete set of Life Science

material• CK-12 Biology (regular & honors editions)• CK-12 Life Science For Middle School

(regular & honors editions)• CK-12 Biology Concepts (327 individual

modules)

• Teacher’s Editions, FlexLessons, Student Workbooks & Assessment materials are also available.

Free and Open TextbooksThe content provided by CK-12 is free!

Our content is open and published under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License.

Content can be modified, repurposed, copied, individualized, customized, and distributed.

Collaborative EnvironmentFlexBooks can be modified and/or updated

practically instantly.

This encourage collaboration:• within a classroom• within a department• across schools within a district• between HS students and

college/university level academicsThe options for collaboration are endless.

FlexBook Distribution

The CK-12 – EOL Collaboration

How can the two groups use each other’s expertise and tools to benefit science education, especially high school biology education?

Our goals are to work together to make biodiversity materials accessible to the high school student, educating students about the importance and relevance of biodiversity while fostering their stewardship of Earth.

Initiated in 2010.

The CK-12 – EOL Collaboration

Biodiversity is underrepresented,underemphasized and under-taught in the typical American high school biology class.

But, especially today, it is too important not to be discussed.

The CK-12 – EOL Collaboration

In a climate where teachers, schools and school districts are continuously evaluated by test scores, with a curriculum dominated by cell and molecular biology and genetics, how do we induce the typical student or class to take the time to study biodiversity?

The CK-12 – EOL Collaboration

Do we convince them of the importance?

Do we offer them something that can generate enthusiasm and excitement?

Do we offer them something where they can contribute? Where they can make a difference?

Do we offer them a unique opportunity?

The CK-12 – EOL Collaboration

We hope to give them Understanding Biodiversity.

Understanding Biodiversity

Understanding Biodiversity is a collaboration between the CK-12 Foundation and the Encyclopedia of Life. The goal of Understanding Biodiversity is to generate an expanding library of biodiversity information aimed exclusively at the secondary-level biology student. Understanding Biodiversity will consist of species pages describing a variety of organisms. Individual species pages will focus on information relevant to the high school biology curriculum: cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, evolution, ecology, and physiology.

Understanding Biodiversity

Secondary level biology students/classes around the world are currently invited to submit species information to CK-12 using the Understanding Biodiversity template.

Understanding BiodiversityWill be maintained by CK-12 and accessed through the CK-12 web site. Links from EOL and other sites can easily be available.

Understanding Biodiversity can be updated weekly, if not daily, and new versions can be loaded onto the CK-12 site instantly.

Student work will be reviewed and published.

Understanding Biodiversity

In addition to generating excitement and interest in biodiversity, this effort should generate collaborations between high school students and classes, and the biodiversity research community and academic institutions.

Understanding Biodiversity

ContentsUnderstanding Biodiversity: Call for ContributionsUnderstanding Biodiversity: Information for ContributorsUnderstanding Biodiversity: The Encyclopedia of LifeUnderstanding Biodiversity: An IntroductionUnderstanding Biodiversity: Global Climate ChangeUnderstanding Biodiversity: BacteriaUnderstanding Biodiversity: ArchaeaUnderstanding Biodiversity: ProtistsUnderstanding Biodiversity: FungiUnderstanding Biodiversity: PlantsUnderstanding Biodiversity: AnimalsUnderstanding Biodiversity: List of ContributorsUnderstanding Biodiversity Template

Understanding BiodiversityExample Species:• Aquila chrysaetos (Golden Eagle)• Bubo virginianus (Great Horned Owl)• Didelphis virginiana (Virginia Opossum)• Elephas maximus (Asian Elephant)• Gorilla gorilla (Western Gorilla)• Loxodonta africana (African Elephant)• Sepia bandensis (Dwarf Cuttlefish)

Understanding Biodiversity

The template is meant to attract students-not scare them:• Species

• Common Name• Description• Habitat

• Biology• A. Cell Biology• B. Genetics• C. Evolution• D. Ecology• E. Physiology

• References• Attribution

• Authors• Affiliation

What do secondary-level students needfrom the BHL?

“If I know little about biodiversity, where do I even start?”

What do secondary-level students needfrom the BHL?

• Informative and Easy to Use• Biodiversity Background Information• Why is Biodiversity Important?• Appropriate Links on BHL Homepage• Suggestions for the Secondary-Level

Student

www.ck12.org

Douglas Wilkin, Ph.D.CK-12 Life Science Editordouglas@ck12.org

Mission Statement

Create an online collaborative environment to produce free and open textbooks (digital

content) that are aligned to curriculum guidelines and can be customized for individualized

needs.

Additional CK-12 Science FlexBooks• CK-12 Earth Science For Middle School• CK-12 Earth Science For High School• CK-12 Concept Earth Science• CK-12 Physical Science (expected December 2011)• CK-12 Chemistry Basic (expected March 2012)• CK-12 Chemistry Intermediate Honors (expected March

2012)• CK-12 Physics Intermediate Honors (expected March

2012)• CK-12 Physics Advanced (expected March 2012)

FlexBooks: Why?TraditionalTextbooks:• Heavy• Rigid• Outdated

VsFlexBooks:• Digital• Multiple

outputs (online, PDF, iPad, ePub, Kindle)

• Up-to-date• Personalized