Introducing Evolution to Non-Biology Majors Via the Fossil Record: A case study from the Israeli High School System
J. Dodick, and N. Orion 2003 American Biology Teacher 65(3), 185-190

This paper discusses the curriculum, From Dinosaurs to Darwin: Evolution from the Perspective of Geologic Time, and a case study of the implementation of that curriculum in a high school class. Many students find the abstract nature of the concept of evolution by natural selection difficult to grasp. Hands-on learning can mediate the detrimental effect of the difficulties of abstract thinking. The authors suggest bridging the gap between natural selection and the geologic record with the use of tangible fossil materials. The students in this study had little biological background but by the end of the program were able to describe concepts of macroevolution and geologic time.

Subject: Geoscience:Paleontology, Geology:Historical Geology, Biology:Evolution
Resource Type: Scientific Resources:Overview/Reference Work, Journal Article
Research on Learning: Ways Of Learning:Active/Kinesthetic/Experiential, Affective Domain:Teaching Controversial Topics, Assessment:Program Evaluation, Geoscience Expertise:Geologic Time