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Evolution Site – Teaching About Evolution Despite the best efforts of biology educators, misinformation about evolution persist. People who have been exposed to popular science myths often assume that biologists are saying they do not believe in evolution. 에볼루션사이트 , which is a complement to the PBS program that provides teachers with resources that promote evolution education, while avoiding the kinds of misconceptions that can undermine it. It's laid out in a nested “bread crumb” format to make it easy for navigation and orientation. Definitions It's not easy to teach evolution well. It is often misunderstood by non-scientists, and even some scientists have been guilty of using definitions that confuse the issue. This is especially relevant when discussing the nature of the words themselves. It is therefore important to define the terms used in evolutionary biology. The website for the PBS show, Understanding Evolution, does this in a clear and helpful way. The website is a companion to the series that first aired in 2001, but it is also an independent resource. The material is presented in a nested fashion which aids navigation and orientation. The site defines terms like common ancestor and the gradual process. These terms help to define the nature of evolution and its relationship to other scientific concepts. The website provides a summary of the manner that evolution has been tested. This information can be used to dispel the myths that have been engendered by the creationists. It is also possible to access the glossary of terms used in evolutionary biology. These terms include: Adaptation: The tendency of heritable characteristics to become more adaptable to a specific environment. This is the result of natural selection, which occurs when organisms that are better-adapted traits are more likely survive and reproduce than those with less adaptable traits. Common ancestor (also called common ancestor) is the most recent ancestor that is shared by two or more species. The common ancestor can be identified by studying the DNA of those species. Deoxyribonucleic acid: A huge biological molecule that holds the information needed for cell replication. The information is stored in nucleotide sequences that are strung into long chains called chromosomes. Mutations are responsible for the creation of new genetic information within cells. Coevolution: A relationship between two species where evolutionary changes in one species are affected by changes in evolutionary processes in the other. Examples of coevolution are the interactions between predator and prey, or host and parasite. Origins Species (groups of individuals that can interbreed) evolve through an array of natural changes in the traits of their offspring. These changes can be caused by many factors, such as natural selection, gene drift, and mixing of the gene pool. The development of a new species may take thousands of years and the process could be slowed down or accelerated by environmental factors like climate change or the competition for food or habitat. The Evolution site traces through time the evolution of different species of plants and animals, focusing on major transitions within each group's past. It also examines the evolution of humans and is a subject that is of particular interest for students. When Darwin wrote the Origin of Species, only a handful of antediluvian human fossils had been found. The skullcap that is famous, along with the bones associated with it were discovered in 1856 in the Little Feldhofer Grotto of Germany. Read Significantly more is now known as an early Homo neanderthalensis. Although the skullcap was not published until 1858, one year before the first edition of the Origin was published, it is highly unlikely that Darwin had ever heard of it. The site is mostly one of biology however, it also has a lot of information on paleontology and geology. One of the most appealing features on the site are a timeline of events that show how climatic and geological conditions changed over time, and an outline of the distribution of a few fossil groups listed on the site. The site is a companion to the PBS television series, but it can also be used as a resource by teachers and students. The site is well-organized and provides easy links to the introductory information of Understanding Evolution (developed under the National Science Foundation's assistance) and the more specialized features on the museum's website. These links facilitate the transition from the cartoon-like style of the Understanding Evolution pages to the more sophisticated world of research science. In particular there are hyperlinks to John Endler's experiments using guppies that illustrate the importance of ecology in evolutionary theory. Diversity The evolution of life has led to many species of plants, animals and insects. Paleobiology is the study of these creatures within their geographical context and offers a number of advantages over modern observational and experimental methods for analyzing evolutionary processes. In addition to exploring processes and events that take place frequently or over a long period of time, paleobiology can be used to examine the relative abundance of different groups of organisms and their distribution in space over geological time. The Web site is divided into several optional pathways to understanding evolution which include “Evolution 101,” which takes the viewer on a liner path through the science of nature and the evidence that supports the theory of evolution. The path also explores misconceptions about evolution as well as the history of evolutionary thinking. Each of the other sections of the Evolution site is equally created, with resources that can be used to support a range of curriculum levels and pedagogical styles. In addition to the standard textual content, the site also has a wide range of multimedia and interactive resources, such as videos, animations and virtual labs. The content is organized in a nested, bread crumb style that facilitates navigation and orientation within the vast web site. The page “Coral Reef Connections” For instance, the page “Coral Reef Connections” provides a comprehensive overview of coral relationships, their interaction with other organisms, and then zooms in to a single clam, which is able communicate with its neighbors and react to changes in water conditions that occur on the reef level. This page, as well as the other multidisciplinary interactive and multimedia pages offers a great introduction to the many areas of evolutionary biology. The material also provides an overview of the importance of natural selection and the concept of phylogenetic analysis, which is an important tool for understanding the evolution of change. Evolutionary Theory For biology students the concept of evolution is a major thread that binds all branches of the field. A vast collection of resources can help teachers teach about evolution across all life sciences. One resource, the companion to PBS's television show Understanding Evolution is an excellent example of an Web site that provides depth as well as broadness in terms of educational resources. The site has a wide array of interactive learning modules. It also has an encased “bread crumb” structure that helps students move from the cartoon style of Understanding Evolution to elements on this large Web site more closely linked to the world of research science. Animation that introduces the concept of genetics is linked to a page that highlights John Endler's artificial-selection experiments with Guppies living in ponds native to Trinidad. Another useful resource is the Evolution Library on this Web website, which includes an extensive multimedia library of assets that are related to evolution. The content is organized according to curriculum-based pathways that correspond to the learning goals set forth in biology standards. It contains seven short videos specifically designed for use in classrooms. These can be viewed online or purchased as DVDs. Evolutionary biology is still an area of study with a lot of important questions, such as what triggers evolution and how fast it takes place. This is especially applicable to human evolution where it's been difficult to reconcile the idea that the physical traits of humans evolved from apes with religions that believe that humanity is unique among living things and holds a an exclusive place in the creation. It is soul. There are also a number of other ways in which evolution can occur, with natural selection as the most widely accepted theory. However scientists also study other types of evolution such as genetic drift, mutation, and sexual selection, among other things. While many fields of scientific inquiry have a conflict with literal interpretations of the Bible Evolutionary biology has been the subject of particularly controversial debate and resistance from religious fundamentalists. Certain religions have reconciled their beliefs to evolution but others haven't.