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ERIC Number: ED662189
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 45
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Translating Research on Evolutionary Transitions into the Teaching of Biological Complexity
Richard E. Michod; Dinah R. Davison; Hailey Sanders; Joshua S. Hoskinson; Kristin M. Gagnier
Grantee Submission
Nested hierarchical structure is one of life's most familiar properties and a major component of biological diversity and complexity. However, there is little effort to teach the evolution of the hierarchy of life, as there is little effort to teach biological complexity per se. We propose a framework for teaching biological complexity based on research on evolutionary transitions in individuality (ETI theory). Translating ETI theory into the classroom allows students to see the connections between natural selection, social behavior in groups, and the major landmarks of biodiversity in the hierarchy of life. The translation of ETI theory into pedagogic content and practices involves (i) the new content that must be taught, (ii) the development of general teaching tools to teach this new content, and (iii) connecting the new content and teaching tools to the specific educational context including integrating with learning standards and benchmarks. We show how teaching ETIs aids in the teaching of science practices and in teaching the process of evolutionary change. Evolutionary transitions research provides a way to teach biological complexity that is familiar and engaging to students, leveraging their inherent understanding of social dynamics and group behavior. [This paper was published in "Evolution" v76 n6 p1124-1138 2022.]
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF), Division of Environmental Biology (DEB); Institute of Education Sciences (ED)
Authoring Institution: N/A
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: 2029999; R305A200523
Author Affiliations: N/A