5 Evolution Site Lessons Learned From The Pros
Evolution Site – Teaching About Evolution Despite the best efforts of biology educators, misconceptions about evolution remain. People who have been exposed to pop science nonsense often assume that biologists don't believe in evolution. This site, a companion to the PBS program, provides teachers with materials that support the evolution of education while avoiding the types of misconceptions which hinder it. It's arranged in a nested “bread crumb” format to make it easy for navigation and orientation. Definitions Evolution is a complicated and difficult subject to teach effectively. Non-scientists often misunderstand the subject, and some scientists even employ a definition that confuses it. This is especially applicable to debates about the definition of the word itself. It is crucial to define the terms used in evolutionary biology. The website for the PBS show, Understanding Evolution, does this in a clear and helpful way. The website is a companion to the show which first aired in 2001, but is also an independent resource. The material is presented in a nested manner which aids navigation and orientation. The site defines terms such as common ancestor, the gradual process, and adaptation. These terms help to define the nature and significance of evolution to other concepts in science. The site then offers an overview of how the concept of evolution has been researched and validated. This information can be used to dispel the myths that have been engendered by the creationists. You can also access a glossary that includes terms used in evolutionary biology. These terms include: Adaptation: The tendency of hereditary traits to become more suitable to a particular setting. This is the result of natural selection. Organisms that have better-adapted traits are more likely than those with less adaptable traits to survive and reproduce. Common ancestor (also called common ancestor) The most recent ancestor that is shared by two or more species. By analyzing DNA from these species it is possible to identify the common ancestor. Deoxyribonucleic Acid: A large biological molecular that contains the information needed for cell replication. The information is stored in nucleotide sequences, which are strung into long chains known as chromosomes. Mutations are the cause of new genetic information in cells. Coevolution: A relationship between two species where evolutionary changes in one species are affected by changes in evolutionary processes in the other. Coevolution is evident through the interaction between predator and prey, or parasites and hosts. Origins Species (groups of individuals who can interbreed) evolve through an array of natural changes in the traits of their offspring. Changes can be caused by many factors, such as natural selection, gene drift, and mixing of the gene pool. The development of new species can take thousands of years. Environmental circumstances, such as climate changes or competition for food and habitat can impede or accelerate the process. The Evolution site follows the emergence of various groups of animals and plants and focuses on major changes within each group's past. It also focuses on human evolution, which is a topic of particular importance for students. When Darwin wrote the Origin, only a handful of antediluvian human fossils had been found. The famous skullcap, with the bones that accompanied it, was discovered in 1856 in the Little Feldhofer Grotto of Germany. It is now recognized as an early Homo neanderthalensis. While the skullcap wasn't published until 1858, which was one year after the first edition of the Origin appeared, it is highly unlikely that Darwin had seen or heard of it. While the site is focused on biology, it also includes a good deal of information on geology and paleontology. The site offers numerous features that are particularly impressive, such as the timeline of the way that climate and geological conditions have changed over the course of time. It also includes maps that show the locations of fossil groups. While the site is a companion piece to the PBS television show, it also stands on its own as a valuable source for teachers and students. 에볼루션 슬롯게임 is very well-organized and offers clear links between the introduction content in Understanding Evolution (developed with support from the National Science Foundation) and the more specialized components of the museum's Web site. These links make it easier to transition from the cartoon style of Understanding Evolution pages into the more sophisticated realms of research science. Particularly, there are links to John Endler's research with Guppies, which demonstrate the importance of ecology in evolutionary theory. Diversity The evolution of life on Earth has led to a wide variety of plants, animals, and insects. Paleobiology, the study of these creatures within their natural environment is a superior method of study over modern observational or experimental methods for studying evolutionary phenomena. Paleobiology can examine not only processes and events that happen regularly or over time but also the distribution and frequency of different groups of animals in space throughout geological time. The website is divided into different routes that can be taken to study the subject of evolution. One of these paths, “Evolution 101,” walks the reader through the evolution of nature and the evidence of evolution. 에볼루션사이트 focuses on common misconceptions about evolution and the history of evolutionary thought. Each of the main sections of the Evolution website is equally well-developed, and includes materials that support a variety educational levels and teaching styles. The site includes a variety of multimedia and interactive resources, including videos, animations, and virtual labs, in addition to its general textual content. The breadcrumb-like arrangement of the content assists with navigation and orientation on the massive Web site. For instance, the page “Coral Reef Connections” gives a brief overview of coral relationships and their interaction with other organisms. It then zooms in on a single clam that is able to communicate with its neighbors and react to changes in the water conditions that take place at the level of the reef. This page, as well as the other multidisciplinary interactive and multimedia pages gives a good introduction to many topics in evolutionary biology. The content also includes an explanation of the importance of natural selection and the concept phylogenetics analysis which is a crucial tool to understand evolutionary change. Evolutionary Theory Evolution is an underlying thread that is found throughout all branches of biology. A rich collection of resources helps teachers teach about evolution across the life sciences. One resource, a companion to the PBS television series Understanding Evolution, is an exceptional example of an Web site that provides depth and a variety of educational resources. The site offers a variety of interactive learning modules. It also features an encased “bread crumb” structure that helps students move from the cartoon style of Understanding Evolution to elements on this huge site that are more closely tied to the world of research science. For example an animation that introduces the idea of genetic inheritance connects to a page that highlights John Endler's artificial selection experiments with guppies from the native ponds of Trinidad. The Evolution Library on this website has a huge multimedia library of materials that deal with evolution. The content is organized into courses that are based on curriculum and follow the learning objectives set out in the standards for biology. It includes seven short videos that are intended for use in the classroom. These are available to stream or purchase as DVDs. Evolutionary biology remains a field of study that poses many important questions to answer, such as what triggers evolution and how fast it happens. This is particularly applicable to human evolution which has made it difficult to reconcile that the innate physical characteristics of humans were derived from apes with religious beliefs that claim that humans are unique among living things and holds a an exclusive place in the creation, with soul. There are a myriad of other ways in which evolution can take place, with natural selection as the most well-known theory. However scientists also study different types of evolution such as mutation, genetic drift and sexual selection, among others. Many fields of inquiry conflict with the literal interpretations of the Bible Evolutionary biology has been the subject of fierce debate and opposition from religious fundamentalists. While certain religions have been able to reconcile their beliefs with the theories of evolution, other religions aren't.