Evolution 101 Review
Site Title: Evolution 101
Site URL: http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/evo_01
Useful Content: Detailed overview of main aspects, key terms, and controversies related to evolution make up the content of the site. The creators explicitly addressed unfamiliar terminology by embedding hyperlinks for key terms. The site breaks down information into seven main categories and slowly and explicitly present information in an easily readable and understandable format. There are many visual pieces of information to both elucidate the written information and provide areas of multimedia interactivity for further clarification. The site specifically addresses patterns of evolution, mechanisms of evolution, micro and macro evolution, speciation, and areas of conflict. The website also has the information translated into Spanish and Turkish, which is useful for non-English speaking students. The site also includes teaching materials and resources that provide evidence for the site’s claims and examples of evolution in the news.
Appropriate Grade: 9-12
Unit of Study to Connect With: Biology - Evolution
Subjects to Incorporate: Even without using the resource library, the information on this site can be used alongside social studies materials to look at the time period these theories were developed, as well as their reception by the scientific and non-scientific communities. Classes can also look at the role the theory of evolution plays in today’s society, particularly in education and politics. This website can also be used in conjunction with a math class to find the rate of evolution or speciation.
Specific Skills to Tie-In With This Link:
· Processing visual information, such as charts, graphs, phylogenic trees, and hierarchies
· Navigating a web-modified traditional outline of information
o Each area is a main topic, with subtopics stemming from discussion of main topic
· Word roots and affixes to understand terminology
· Evaluation of validity of information and source materials
Specific Outcome of Visiting this Site: This site can be used as either a reinforcement or summative activity. This site should not be used to present the information to the students for the first time, but it is a useful resource to reinforce the topics discussed in class or review material before an examination. The site is written in relatively plain language, which makes it an ideal source for students who are confused by the language of a traditional textbook. If a student is looking for a detailed, but not extensive overview of some aspects of evolution, this site is appropriate, but it does not go into any area as deeply as traditional texts. Using the last section of the site, students can gather information to use to write a position piece on evolution.
Site URL: http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/evo_01
Useful Content: Detailed overview of main aspects, key terms, and controversies related to evolution make up the content of the site. The creators explicitly addressed unfamiliar terminology by embedding hyperlinks for key terms. The site breaks down information into seven main categories and slowly and explicitly present information in an easily readable and understandable format. There are many visual pieces of information to both elucidate the written information and provide areas of multimedia interactivity for further clarification. The site specifically addresses patterns of evolution, mechanisms of evolution, micro and macro evolution, speciation, and areas of conflict. The website also has the information translated into Spanish and Turkish, which is useful for non-English speaking students. The site also includes teaching materials and resources that provide evidence for the site’s claims and examples of evolution in the news.
Appropriate Grade: 9-12
Unit of Study to Connect With: Biology - Evolution
Subjects to Incorporate: Even without using the resource library, the information on this site can be used alongside social studies materials to look at the time period these theories were developed, as well as their reception by the scientific and non-scientific communities. Classes can also look at the role the theory of evolution plays in today’s society, particularly in education and politics. This website can also be used in conjunction with a math class to find the rate of evolution or speciation.
Specific Skills to Tie-In With This Link:
· Processing visual information, such as charts, graphs, phylogenic trees, and hierarchies
· Navigating a web-modified traditional outline of information
o Each area is a main topic, with subtopics stemming from discussion of main topic
· Word roots and affixes to understand terminology
· Evaluation of validity of information and source materials
Specific Outcome of Visiting this Site: This site can be used as either a reinforcement or summative activity. This site should not be used to present the information to the students for the first time, but it is a useful resource to reinforce the topics discussed in class or review material before an examination. The site is written in relatively plain language, which makes it an ideal source for students who are confused by the language of a traditional textbook. If a student is looking for a detailed, but not extensive overview of some aspects of evolution, this site is appropriate, but it does not go into any area as deeply as traditional texts. Using the last section of the site, students can gather information to use to write a position piece on evolution.