Teaching Evolution for the 21st Century: Using Modern Methods and Real Data to Enhance Student Learning

综合生物学系与加州大学古生物学博物馆（UCMP）、美国生物科学研究所（AIBS）和BioQUEST课程联盟（BioQUEST）合作，正在开发一系列五个实验室模块，这些模块介绍了进化生物学当前前沿研究的概念和方法，这些研究本质上是定量和计算的。实验室模块正在实施和评估的网关生物学课程，介绍了1600多名本科生，每年在进化生物学，生态学和植物多样性的基本概念。该课程是13个专业的先决条件，也是许多学生在伯克利接受的唯一接触进化论的机会。智力优势：实验室序列设计的一个新颖之处在于，它采用了研究科学家为向学生介绍科学过程而使用的相同数据库和程序，但仍保持了与有形标本和真实的生物体的联系。它还强调了培养学生定量技能的重要性，这与进化生物学特别相关。实验室系列的综合方法建立在经过测试的有效教学方法之上：使材料明确，留出时间进行反思，并将概念置于多种背景下。模块的研究亮点部分旨在加强科学的性质，将实验室中的概念和技能与真正的科学研究联系起来，并使其与学生相关。研究亮点部分向学生介绍了一个研究“热门话题”，为在校本科生提供的研究机会，或特别选择的研究人员的个人资料，以展示生命科学中个体的多样性。该计划正在评估，以评估在进化和定量推理的概念有针对性的学习收益。此外，评估计划记录了实验室系列如何影响学生对科学和定量思维的态度，未来课程的成功以及多个学期的研究参与。更广泛的影响：除了在加州大学伯克利分校接触大量的直接观众外，实验室模块的设计还考虑到了全国其他机构的生物学和进化论入门教师的潜在采用。正在制定实验室序列中采用的教学策略，以使定量科学更容易获得，从而促进学生的成功。NSF资助的UCMP，BioQUEST和AIBS的理解进化（UE）和理解科学（US）基于网络的计划正在指导实验室材料的开发和传播，以帮助确保材料尽可能广泛地分发给不同的受众。

The Department of Integrative Biology, in collaboration with the University of California Museum of Paleontology (UCMP), American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS), and the BioQUEST Curriculum Consortium (BioQUEST), is developing a series of five laboratory modules that introduce concepts and methods from current, cutting-edge research in evolutionary biology that are quantitative and computational in nature. The laboratory modules are being implemented and assessed in a gateway biology course that introduces over 1600 undergraduates a year to basic concepts in evolutionary biology, ecology, and plant diversity. The course is a prerequisite for 13 majors and is the only exposure to evolution that many of the students receive while at Berkeley. Intellectual Merit: A novel aspect of the design of the laboratory sequence is that it employs the same databases and programs that research scientists use in order to introduce students to the process of science, yet maintains a connection to tangible specimens and real organisms. It also addresses the importance of building students' quantitative skills, which are especially relevant to evolutionary biology. The comprehensive approach of the lab series is founded on a tested method of effective teaching: making materials explicit, allowing time for reflection, and placing concepts in multiple contexts. A Research Highlights component of the modules is being designed to reinforce the nature of science, relate concepts and skills in lab to true scientific research, and make them relevant to students. The Research Highlights section introduces students to a research "hot topic," a research opportunity for undergraduates on campus, or the personal profile of a researcher chosen particularly to demonstrate the diversity of individuals in the life sciences. The program is being evaluated to assess targeted learning gains in concepts of evolution and quantitative reasoning. In addition, the assessment plan is documenting how the laboratory series affects students' attitudes about science and quantitative thinking, success in future courses and participation in research over multiple semesters. Broader Impacts: In addition to reaching a large immediate audience at UC Berkeley, the laboratory modules are being designed to allow for potential adoption by introductory biology and evolution instructors at other institutions nationwide. The teaching strategies employed in the laboratory sequence are being developed to make quantitative science more accessible and thereby promote students' success. The NSF-funded Understanding Evolution (UE) and Understanding Science (US) web-based programs at the UCMP, BioQUEST, and AIBS are guiding development and dissemination of laboratory materials to help ensure that the materials are distributed as broadly as possible to diverse audiences.