Interview with Nicoladie Tam, Ph.D.

Published 2014-10-19.
Why do you write textbooks?
Because I am a professor teaching in these courses, my students really like my course notes, so I rewrite them in a textbook form, and publish them so other students can learn intuitively with the pedagogical methods I use in my books and in my lectures.
What are the pedagogical methods you use in writing these textbooks?
The pedagogical methods are based on the brain research that I do, and I apply the learning theory of how the brain learns naturally and intuitively in teaching and in writing textbooks.

Specifically, I use an inquiry approach to stimulate the quest of knowledge with questions and answers format, so students will get the answers immediately. That's the best way to learn. The key is to provide instant feedback to the students so they can make the connections.

I also use a modular method that applies an incremental approach to let students learn in bite size that is self-contained. This simplifies the process and makes it easier for students to digest and retain the information incrementally.
When did you first start writing textbooks?
I started writing course notes for my students. These course notes eventually become complete chapter as I added detailed explanations of the principles and concepts on the topics. They eventually become the complete textbook chapter by chapter.
What's the story behind your latest book?
I have completed the "Principles of Biology" textbook, and the latest textbook is the "Neuropsychopharmacology," which is a comprehensive textbook on the principles and theories behind the neurobiological basis of mental disorders, and the pharmacological actions of psychiatric medicine to treat these mental disorders. It also explains how the neurobiological circuitry is involved in the genesis of behavior, and how behavioral medicine can be applied to remedy the deficits of the brain.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
Most traditional publishers are fixed in their way of thinking on what a textbook is like. They often refuse to accept any novel approach in writing textbooks. In fact, most textbook publishers pretty much copycat each other, without any innovation or apply any effective pedagogical methods in textbook writing.

So the only way to publish a textbook with novel, innovative pedagogy is to publish it on my own, without having to conform to any of the out-dated textbook writing methods.

Most importantly, most traditional biology textbooks are written in long-convoluted wordy descriptions without introducing or explaining any principles or concepts. They are merely a collection of disjoint facts for students to memorize. That is the most ineffective rote-learning method that does not work, and will not work. Students don't retain or comprehend the materials when the textbooks are written like a long stream of consciousness.

I have worked with many traditional textbook publishers on revising their textbooks, and none of them are receptive of the innovative pedagogical methods. They are don't even want to venture into publishing in eBook format, because they make more money on printed textbooks. They then charge you again for publishing a new edition, which is nothing more than adding a few photos, with nothing changed substantially.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
It provides multiple eBook formats and multiple distribution retail channels. This allows for the flexibility of the wide variety of readers to use different electronic devices to access the same book.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
The greatest joy is the ability to share my knowledge, and share my passion.
What do your fans mean to you?
They love to see the good work that I have done.
What are you working on next?
I am working on a few inspirational/motivational books.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.

Latest books by This Author

Nervous System – Organization
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 12,280. Language: English. Published: December 21, 2021 . Categories: Nonfiction » Science & Nature » Medical science, Nonfiction » Science & Nature » Life Sciences / Neuroscience
“Nervous System – Organization” is a book chapter of the college-level textbook for the book volume in the Principles of Neuropsychopharmacology course. It is a part of the Science Textbook Series authored by Nicoladie Tam, Ph.D. that also includes the Principles of Biology course.
Alcohol and Alcoholism
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 10,850. Language: English. Published: December 21, 2021 . Categories: Nonfiction » Health, wellbeing, & medicine » Medicine » Neuroscience, Nonfiction » Science & Nature » Life Sciences / Neuroscience
“Alcohol and Alcoholism” is a book chapter of the college-level textbook for the book volume in the Principles of Neuropsychopharmacology course. It is a part of the Science Textbook Series authored by Nicoladie Tam, Ph.D. that also includes the Principles of Biology course.
Neurobiological Mechanisms of Learning
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 12,550. Language: English. Published: December 19, 2021 . Categories: Nonfiction » Education & Study Guides » Study guides - Sciences, Nonfiction » Science & Nature » Life Sciences / Neuroscience
“Neurobiological Mechanisms of Learning” is a book chapter of the college-level textbook for the book volume in the Principles of Neuropsychopharmacology course. It is a part of the Science Textbook Series authored by Nicoladie Tam, Ph.D. that also includes the Principles of Biology course.
How to Break Free of the Codependency Cycle: A Step-by-Step Guide
Price: $5.99 USD. Words: 78,050. Language: American English. Published: May 24, 2015 . Categories: Nonfiction » Self-improvement » Codependency, Nonfiction » Inspiration » General self-help
“How to Break Free of the Codependency Cycle: A Step-by-Step Guide” is a part of the “Inspirational Self-Enrichment Series” authored by Nicoladie Tam, Ph, D. on self-improvement and self-enrichment for living a healthy lifestyle while in the pursuit of happiness.
Neuropsychopharmacology: A Tutorial Study Guide (box set)
Price: $29.99 USD. Words: 223,510. Language: English. Published: September 17, 2014 . Categories: Nonfiction » Science & Nature » Medical science, Nonfiction » Education & Study Guides » Study guides - Medicine
“ Neuropsychopharmacology” is a part of the Neuropsychopharmacology course series textbooks. It is a tutorial written in questions and answers format. It is a study guide with in-depth explanations. Each section is a modular unit that is self-contained for easy reading. The principles and concepts are introduced systematically so students can learn and retain the materials intuitively.
Biological Principles: A Tutorial Study Guide
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 4,980. Language: English. Published: December 10, 2013 . Categories: Nonfiction » Science & Nature » Life Sciences / Neuroscience, Nonfiction » Education & Study Guides » Study guides - Sciences
“Biological Principles” is a part of the Principles of Biology course series textbooks. It is a tutorial written in questions and answers format. It is a study guide with in-depth explanations. Each section is a modular unit that is self-contained for easy reading. The principles and concepts are introduced systematically so students can learn and retain the materials intuitively.
Anxiety Disorders: A Tutorial Study Guide
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 9,540. Language: English. Published: December 10, 2013 . Categories: Nonfiction » Education & Study Guides » Study guides - Medicine, Nonfiction » Science & Nature » Life Sciences / Neuroscience
“Anxiety Disorders” is a book chapter of the college-level textbook for the book volume in the Principles of Neuropsychopharmacology course. It is a part of the Science Textbook Series authored by Nicoladie Tam, Ph.D. that also includes the Principles of Biology course.
Affective Disorders: Depression, Mania, and Bipolar Disorders: A Tutorial Study Guide
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 10,710. Language: English. Published: December 8, 2013 . Categories: Nonfiction » Education & Study Guides » Study guides - Medicine, Nonfiction » Science & Nature » Life Sciences / Neuroscience
“Affective Disorders” is a part of the Neuropsychopharmacology course series textbooks. It is a tutorial written in question & answer format. It is a study guide with in-depth explanations. Each section is a modular unit that is self-contained for easy reading. The principles & concepts are introduced systematically so students can learn & retain the material intuitively.
Amphetamine: A Tutorial Study Guide
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 11,690. Language: English. Published: December 2, 2013 . Categories: Nonfiction » Education & Study Guides » Study guides - Sciences, Nonfiction » Health, wellbeing, & medicine » Medicine » Neuroscience
“ Amphetamine” is a book chapter of the college-level textbook for the book volume in the Principles of Neuropsychopharmacology course. It is a part of the Science Textbook Series authored by Nicoladie Tam, Ph.D. that also includes the Principles of Biology course.
Brain Imaging Techniques: A Tutorial Study Guide
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 10,080. Language: English. Published: October 29, 2013 . Categories: Nonfiction » Science & Nature » Medical science, Nonfiction » Education & Study Guides » Study guides - Medicine
“Brain Imaging Techniques” is a book chapter of the college-level textbook for the book volume in the Principles of Neuropsychopharmacology course. It is a part of the Science Textbook Series authored by Nicoladie Tam, Ph.D. that also includes the Principles of Biology course.
View their profile to see all of their books