About Nature Education Publishing

Nature Publishing Group has long been a staple of science-based publishing, but it only recently decided to make its peer-reviewed information on genetics available online to undergraduates and educators through Scitable, an online site found here .

Scitable pulls information from over 30 different Nature journals, and also includes new peer-reviewed content. The site features a substantial social-networking element, allowing members to form groups, add comments and recommend changes to content, and share information.

About Vikram

In 2008, Vikram Savkar capitalized on the opportunity to revolutionize educational publishing. Combining the resources of the Nature Publishing Group, the guile gained from over a decade in educational publishing and an adoration of science and innovation, he assisted in the development of Scitable.

Savkar concentrated his creativity, passion, and expertise to create an online science library for the global scientific community. Scitable delivers credible scientific information and purpose-built tools for students and teachers, affecting a needed and fundamental change in science education. With Scitable, users read evidence-based articles, connect and share with a global community of students, teachers and researchers and contribute to the community.

In addition to his role as Publishing Director, Savkar regularly contributes to Scitable’s learning community by discussing articles and research with its rapidly growing community of educators and current and future scientists.

Prior to joining Nature, Savkar held managerial roles at Pearson Higher Education, a higher education publisher that includes brands such as Addison-Wesley, Allyn & Bacon, Benjamin Cummings, Longman, Merrill, and Prentice Hall.

Savkar previously served for three years as Assistant to the Conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and holds degrees in Physics and Classics from Harvard University. He is also a member of the board of the Nature Publishing Group.

Scitable - Science Tool for Students, Teachers and Scientists

How It Works

Scitable uses content from the Nature Publishing Group, one of the most respected names in scientific publishing. With Scitable, users read evidence-based articles, connect and share with a global community of students, teachers and researchers and contribute to the community.

Scitable has started with a focus on genetics. Especially with President Obama now having lifted the ban on stem cell research, genetics is among the hottest topics for students, teachers and scientists, who consistently seek credible, accessible resources online.

Scitable gives students free online access to more than 180 overviews of key genetics concepts. By connecting with other Scitable users via groups, chats and other social media features, students can learn collaboratively alongside classmates, a community of experts, researchers and fellow students.

Scitable is also intended as a teaching tool for educators, who can set up public and/or private groups for their students, provide reading lists, course-packs of Scitable articles and even group discussions. Teachers can also integrate Scitable with Blackboard.

Craig and Vikram will discuss:

Talking Points: • What can students look for in an online resource, and what are the signs that a source is unreliable? • Scitable is an example of a great, credible online resource that expands traditional information and incorporates a social learning component connecting researchers with students • Nature Education has created Scitable as a result of so few credible, reliable sources existing online • Nature Education is bringing Nature Publishing Group’s vast treasure of research materials to the Internet for the purpose of education • The importance of developing student skills online and offline • Scitable is affecting fundamental change in science education