Just-in-Time Teaching (JiTT) WarmUp Activity: Neanderthals and Modern Humans
Question:
1) What are Neanderthals? How do they differ from modern humans?
2) Discuss some of the new ideas as to why early human ancestors dispersed from Africa.
3) What are DNA studies telling us about human migrations and populations?
2) Discuss some of the new ideas as to why early human ancestors dispersed from Africa.
3) What are DNA studies telling us about human migrations and populations?
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., "Neanderthals and Modern Humans Co-existed Longer Than Thought." The New York Times Book of Fossils and Evolution, p. 224-227.
Wade, N., "Neanderthal DNA Sheds New Light on Human Origins." The New York Times Book of Fossils and Evolution, p. 235-238.
Wilford, J.N., "Skulls on the Out-of-Africa Trail." The New York Times Book of Fossils and Evolution, p. 251-253.
Wade, N., "To People the World, Start with 500." The New York Times Book of Fossils and Evolution, p. 254-258.
The use of Just-in-Time Teaching is discussed in detail on the JiTT Starting Point page.
Wilford, J.N., "Neanderthals and Modern Humans Co-existed Longer Than Thought." The New York Times Book of Fossils and Evolution, p. 224-227.
Wade, N., "Neanderthal DNA Sheds New Light on Human Origins." The New York Times Book of Fossils and Evolution, p. 235-238.
Wilford, J.N., "Skulls on the Out-of-Africa Trail." The New York Times Book of Fossils and Evolution, p. 251-253.
Wade, N., "To People the World, Start with 500." The New York Times Book of Fossils and Evolution, p. 254-258.
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)
