Teaching Evolution: From SMART Objectives to Threshold Experience

Autor/inn/en	Wolf, Alexander; Akkaraju, Shylaja
Titel	Teaching Evolution: From SMART Objectives to Threshold Experience
Quelle	In: Journal of Effective Teaching, 14 (2014) 2, S.35-48 (14 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1935-7869
Schlagwörter	Evolution; Biology; Science Instruction; Teaching Methods; Educational Technology; Video Technology; Technology Uses in Education; Homework; Learning Modules; Community Colleges; Urban Schools; Blended Learning; College Science; Science Tests; Summative Evaluation; Computer Mediated Communication; Discussion (Teaching Technique); New York + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Biologie; Teaching of science; Science education; Natural sciences Lessons; Naturwissenschaftlicher Unterricht; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Unterrichtsmedien; Technology enhanced learning; Technology aided learning; Technologieunterstütztes Lernen; Hausaufgabe; Learning module; Lernmodul; Community college; Community College; Urban area; Urban areas; School; Schools; Stadtregion; Stadt; Schule; Computerkonferenz
Abstract	Despite the centrality of evolution to the study of biology, the pedagogical methods employed to teach the subject are often instructor-centered and rarely embedded in every topic throughout the curriculum. In addition, students' prior beliefs about evolution are often dismissed rather than incorporated into the classroom. In this article we describe the use of SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-sensitive) guidelines to "flip" our classroom in order to create and maintain a supportive learning environment that addresses these concerns. This environment consisted of at-home learning modules deployed at specific times throughout the semester. We found that students responded well in the environment and generally achieved our benchmarks for performance. We observed that many students struggled both with conceptual understanding as well as their conflict between deeply held personal beliefs and evolutionary theory. Our observations also appear to support the view that evolution through natural selection is a threshold concept in biology. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Journal of Effective Teaching. Center for Teaching Excellence, 601 South College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403. Tel: 910-962-3034; Fax: 910-962-3427; e-mail: jet@uncw.edu; Web site: http://www.uncw.edu/cte/et
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01