Understanding Evolutionary Change within the Framework of Geological Time
Jeff Dodick 2007 McGill Journal of Education v42 p245-264

This paper focuses on a learning strategy designed to overcome students' difficulty in understanding evolutionary change within the framework of geological time. Incorporated into the learning program From Dinosaurs to Darwin: Evolution from the Perspective of Time, this strategy consists of four scaffolded investigations in which students manipulate and critique a series of (visual) representations of evolutionary change in geological time. These investigations include: (1) bio-stratigraphic correlation; (2) representing the development of life on earth through time; (3) comparing the magnitude of different time scales; (4) temporally scaling evolution. Using this format, students build an ever more sophisticated understanding of evolution in geological time. These activities were evaluated with a class of Israeli high school earth science students. Post-program results indicated that, although difficulties still remained, generally, the students had a better understanding of the scale of geological time and its connection to evolutionary change.

Subject: Geoscience:Geology, Biology:Evolution
Resource Type: Pedagogic Resources:Overview/Summary, Journal Article
Research on Learning: Geoscience Expertise:Geologic Time, Cognitive Domain:Misconceptions/barriers to learning