Just-in-Time Teaching (JiTT) WarmUp Activity: The "Legs" of Snakes and Whales
Question:
1) What are the adaptations needed to move from water to land (whether it be an arthropod or a "pioneering amphibian")?
2) Could snakes be linked to marine lizards? What your view and interpretations of the evidence?
3) Let's say I told you that I thought marine mammals evolved independently of land mammals (meaning, both originated on their own in separate environments with no linkages). What evidence would you use to argue that my viewpoint is incorrect (.... or is it really that crazy of an idea)?
2) Could snakes be linked to marine lizards? What your view and interpretations of the evidence?
3) Let's say I told you that I thought marine mammals evolved independently of land mammals (meaning, both originated on their own in separate environments with no linkages). What evidence would you use to argue that my viewpoint is incorrect (.... or is it really that crazy of an idea)?
Student Responses:
See the Just-in-Time Teaching page on assessment for information and ideas on how to evaluate student responses.
References and Notes:
Articles that students may be assigned to read for this set of questions include (but are not limited to):
Wilford, J.N., "Early Amphibian Fossil Hints of a Trip Ashore Earlier Than Thought." The New York Times Book of Fossils and Evolution, p. 111-114.
Browne, M.W., "Animals Left The Water Earlier Than Thought." The New York Times Book of Fossils and Evolution, p. 115-116.
Wilford, J.N., "Legged Snakes? First Reliable Evidence Is In." The New York Times Book of Fossils and Evolution, p. 134-136.
Wilford, J.N., "How the Whale Lost Its Legs and Returned to the Sea." The New York Times Book of Fossils and Evolution, p. 143-148.
The use of Just-in-Time Teaching is discussed in detail on the JiTT Starting Point page.
Wilford, J.N., "Early Amphibian Fossil Hints of a Trip Ashore Earlier Than Thought." The New York Times Book of Fossils and Evolution, p. 111-114.
Browne, M.W., "Animals Left The Water Earlier Than Thought." The New York Times Book of Fossils and Evolution, p. 115-116.
Wilford, J.N., "Legged Snakes? First Reliable Evidence Is In." The New York Times Book of Fossils and Evolution, p. 134-136.
Wilford, J.N., "How the Whale Lost Its Legs and Returned to the Sea." The New York Times Book of Fossils and Evolution, p. 143-148.
The use of Just-in-Time Teaching is discussed in detail on the JiTT Starting Point page.
Additional information on JiTT is available in the book:
- Just-in-Time Teaching: Blending Active Learning with Web Technology. Novak et al., 1999 The authors explain what Just-in-Time Teaching is, its underlying goals and philosophies, and how to implement it. They also provide an extensive section of tested resource materials that can be used in introductory physics courses with the JiTT approach. (citation and description)
