Investigating Human Evolution Using Digital Imaging & Craniometry

Autor/in	Robertson, John C.
Titel	Investigating Human Evolution Using Digital Imaging & Craniometry
Quelle	In: American Biology Teacher, 69 (2007) 3, S.37-41 (5 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0002-7685
Schlagwörter	Evolution; Visual Aids; Science Instruction; Science Activities; Anatomy + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Anschauungsmaterial; Teaching of science; Science education; Natural sciences Lessons; Naturwissenschaftlicher Unterricht; Anatomie
Abstract	Human evolution is an important and intriguing area of biology. The significance of evolution as a component of biology curricula, at all levels, can not be overstated; the need to make the most of opportunities to effectively educate students in evolution as a central and unifying realm of biology is paramount. Developing engaging laboratory or classroom activities that investigate human evolution (e.g., DeSilva, 2004) can therefore be of significant value to students and educators. This report describes an exercise involving comparative anatomy of hominid skulls, centering on the use of digital imaging to generate measurement data for comparison and analysis. Here, hominid refers to the family Hominidea; that is, all modern and extinct Great Apes--including humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans. Rather than as a step-by-step fixed protocol, this laboratory is presented with options that emphasize adaptability to various pedagogical approaches and instructional levels. Versions of this laboratory have been used in college evolution and introductory biology courses; adaptations are likely to be of value for other courses, including non-majors' biology, comparative anatomy, and secondary school biology. Features of skulls (commercially obtained skull casts) are identified and compared by students in order to develop an evolutionary analysis centered on functional anatomy. The focus of this exercise is on structural features that relate to three characteristics central in human evolutionary history: brain size, posture, and mastication. As with other published activities designed to explore hominid evolution using skull comparisons (Nickels, 1999; Nickels, 1987), various quantitative and qualitative measures are introduced and employed. However, this exercise also extends this approach in a novel way by employing quantitative craniometric relationships made using digital imaging. (Contains 3 figures, 4 tables and 5 online resources.) (ERIC).
Anmerkungen	National Association of Biology Teachers. 12030 Sunrise Valley Drive #110, Reston, VA 20191. Tel: 800-406-0775; Tel: 703-264-9696; Fax: 703-264-7778; e-mail: publication@nabt.org; Web site: http://www.nabt.org
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10