Large, introductory, nonmajors biology classes present challenges when trying to encourage class discussion to help reinforce important concepts. Lively in-class discussion involving hundreds of students is more successful when a relevant story told with passion is used to introduce a topic. In my courses, each semester begins with thorough treatment of the scientific method, followed by the multiple Darwinian theories of evolution. To reinforce these two important themes, the story of the ivory-billed woodpeckers ecology, evolution, conservation, and probable extirpation has been effective in provoking class dialogue and reinforcing the two themes. Although I describe this approach as a large-class activity, it works well in courses of all sizes. In this article, I discuss teaching with storytelling and detail the use of the ivory-billed woodpecker story as a teaching tool.
How to translate text using browser tools
1 March 2014
Scientific Method & Evolutionary Theory Elucidated by the Ivory-billed Woodpecker Story
James J. Krupa
ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE
It is not available for individual sale.
This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
It is not available for individual sale.
The American Biology Teacher
Vol. 76 • No. 3
March 2014
Vol. 76 • No. 3
March 2014
EVOLUTIONARY THEORY
in-class discussion
ivory-billed woodpecker
Open inquiry
scientific method
storytelling