EvoBeaker II: Assessing Simulations for Teaching Evolutionary Biology

EvoBeaker II：评估进化生物学教学的模拟

• 批准号: 0717495
• 负责人: Eli Meir
• 金额: $ 45万
• 依托单位: SimBiotic Software
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2008
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2008-01-01 至 2010-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0717495&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: EvoBeaker; II; Assessing; Simulations; Teaching

Biological Sciences (61). This project involves the development of a very flexible educational software package for the teaching of evolution to undergraduates. EvoBeaker is an inquiry-based collection of simulation modules allowing users to design evolutionary simulations and witness evolution in action. Research on student learning and on misconceptions is informing the development and testing of the software tools and the accompanying curricular materials. Several modules are being assessed for their effectiveness, including modules on the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, on genetic drift; on the adaptive significance of sex, and on evolutionary trees. In addition, the software package is being enhanced through the development of: (1) a new interface for creating evolutionary models, (2) interactive graphs, and (3) a complete set of classroom-tested laboratories for an introductory evolutionary biology class. Results of research on evolution misconceptions and on student learning, as well as on the assessment of the effectiveness of various EvoBeaker modules, are being disseminated via journal publications and presentations at meetings. In addition the software and curricular materials are being made available commercially. EvoBeaker is being used in a wide variety of biology courses nationwide, and is helping tens of thousands of students of all levels and abilities achieve a better understanding of evolution and advance the field of biology education. Broader impacts of the project include development of materials for use in high schools and in science museums, as well as international dissemination of the software package.This project is partially funded by the Division of Biological Infrastructure in the Directorate for Biological Sciences.

生物科学 (61)。 该项目涉及开发一个非常灵活的教育软件包，用于向本科生教授进化论。 EvoBeaker 是一个基于查询的模拟模块集合，允许用户设计进化模拟并见证实际的进化。对学生学习和误解的研究为软件工具和随附课程材料的开发和测试提供信息。正在评估几个模块的有效性，包括哈代-温伯格平衡、遗传漂变模块；性的适应性意义和进化树。此外，该软件包还通过以下方面的开发得到增强：(1) 用于创建进化模型的新界面，(2) 交互式图表，以及 (3) 用于进化生物学入门课程的一整套经过课堂测试的实验室。关于进化论误解和学生学习以及各种 EvoBeaker 模块有效性评估的研究结果正在通过期刊出版物和会议演示进行传播。此外，软件和课程材料也已商业化。 EvoBeaker 广泛用于全国范围内的各种生物学课程，帮助数以万计的各个水平和能力的学生更好地了解进化论并推动生物教育领域的发展。该项目的更广泛影响包括开发供高中和科学博物馆使用的材料，以及软件包的国际传播。该项目部分由生物科学理事会生物基础设施司资助。