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Joel Cracraft, Ph.D.
and
David Randle, Ph.D.
How are all of the species living on Earth today related? How does understanding evolutionary science contribute to our well-being? In this course, participants will learn about evolutionary relationships, population genetics, and natural and artificial selection. Participants will explore evolutionary science and learn how to integrate it into their classrooms.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/omb2pz/evolution
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What's inside
Syllabus
Course Introduction
Introduction and Darwin's First Great Idea - The Tree of Life
The first module of the course introduces Charles Darwin’s revolutionary concept of a “tree of life” depicting the evolution of all life from a common ancestor; how evolutionary trees depict relationships among organisms; and how new species are formed. You will explore resources for discovering and addressing student misconceptions about evolution.
Read more
Syllabus
Course Introduction
Introduction and Darwin's First Great Idea - The Tree of Life
The first module of the course introduces Charles Darwin’s revolutionary concept of a “tree of life” depicting the evolution of all life from a common ancestor; how evolutionary trees depict relationships among organisms; and how new species are formed. You will explore resources for discovering and addressing student misconceptions about evolution.
Read more
Darwin's Second Great Idea - Adaptation via Natural Selection
You will learn about Darwin’s second breakthrough: that adaptation via natural selection is the basic mechanism of evolution. You’ll go behind the scenes with Dr. Cracraft to see how evolutionary biologists use the Museum’s collections. Lastly, you’ll choose a topic from the course and explain how to use it as empirical evidence that supports common ancestry and biological evolution.
The History of Life
You will learn about the role of extinction in evolution, and find out what the relatedness of major groups of living things reveals about the history of life. You’ll also watch videos of scientists at work and learn how to use them in your classroom.
Human Evolution
This module explores the rich variety of hominids on the tree of life, along with how and when different human species - including Homo sapiens - migrated around the world. You’ll also learn strategies for teaching evolution in culturally diverse classrooms.
Course Conclusion
Good to know
Good to know
Know what's good ,
what to watch for , and
possible dealbreakers
Explores the concept of a universal "tree of life" depicting the evolution of all life on Earth from a common ancestor, which is essential knowledge for biologists
Investigates Darwin's revolutionary ideas of evolution by natural selection, providing a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental mechanisms driving biodiversity
Examines the history of life on Earth, including the role of extinction and the relationships among major groups of living things, which is critical for understanding the diversity and interconnectedness of life
Explores human evolution, including the characteristics and migrations of different human species, and provides strategies for teaching evolution in diverse classrooms
Taught by experienced instructors, Joel Cracraft and David Randle, who are recognized for their expertise in evolutionary biology and science education
Provides educators with resources and strategies for discovering and addressing student misconceptions about evolution, which is particularly valuable for fostering scientific literacy
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Reviews summary
Evolution for educators
According to students, this biology course has engaging lectures and a good foundation in science. Learners found the quality and level of the course to be surprising and excellent. The pedagogical advice is very helpful. However, communication is not as timely as expected, and there is no clear information on obtaining certificates. Overall, learners recommend the course for science educators and individuals interested in science.
Helpful pedagogical advice
"Great course with good scientific background and excellent pedagogic advises."
High quality lectures
"Interesting contents and brilliantly presented."
"As a biologist, I have to admit that I was sometimes surprised by the quality and the level of the course."
Certification process unclear
"I have yet to find how to get my course certificate."
Slow communication
"I am disappointed though in the lack of communication from you when there were questions."
Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in Evolution: A Course for Educators with these
activities:
Review basic biology concepts
Show steps
Enhance your understanding of the core principles of biology, which will serve as a foundation for the evolutionary concepts covered in the course.
Browse courses on
Biology
Show steps
-
Review your lecture notes and textbook chapters on basic biology concepts.
-
Take practice quizzes and review questions to test your understanding.
-
Watch videos and read articles to reinforce your understanding of these concepts.
Review high school biology
Show steps
Refresh your memory of basic biological concepts to build a strong foundation for this course.
Browse courses on
Biology
Show steps
-
Review your old textbooks and notes
-
Take practice quizzes online
-
Watch educational videos on YouTube
Watch educational videos on evolution
Show steps
Enhance your understanding of evolutionary concepts by watching educational videos created by experts in the field.
Browse courses on
Tree of Life
Show steps
-
Find reputable sources of educational videos, such as reputable online platforms or documentaries.
-
Choose videos that cover topics you find challenging or that you are interested in learning more about.
-
Take notes and pause the videos as needed to process the information.
Six other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all nine activities
Gather resources on evolution for future reference
Show steps
Create a collection of reputable resources, such as articles, videos, and online simulations, to support your ongoing learning about evolution.
Browse courses on
Evolution
Show steps
-
Search for high-quality resources on evolution from reputable sources such as scientific journals, universities, and museums.
-
Organize your resources by topic or theme.
-
Consider using a digital tool or platform to store and access your resources.
Solve practice problems on population genetics
Show steps
Strengthen your understanding of population genetics and evolutionary processes by working through practice problems.
Browse courses on
Population Genetics
Show steps
-
Find practice problems in your course materials or online resources.
-
Attempt to solve the problems on your own.
-
Check your answers and review the solutions to understand the concepts behind the problems.
Volunteer at a local science museum or natural history museum
Show steps
Deepen your understanding of evolution and its impact on the natural world by volunteering at a local science museum or natural history museum.
Browse courses on
Evolution
Show steps
-
Find a local science museum or natural history museum that offers volunteer opportunities.
-
Apply for a volunteer position that aligns with your interests and skills.
-
Attend volunteer training and orientation sessions.
-
Assist visitors with exhibits and answer their questions about evolution and natural history.
-
Participate in educational programs and events related to evolution.
Start a blog on evolution
Show steps
Reinforce your understanding of evolutionary principles by writing a series of blog posts that explore different aspects of evolution, such as the fossil record, genetic evidence, and human evolution.
Show steps
-
Choose a blogging platform and create your blog.
-
Brainstorm a list of topics related to evolution that you are interested in writing about.
-
Research your chosen topics and gather credible sources.
-
Write and publish your blog posts, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and proper citation of sources.
Design a lesson plan on evolution
Show steps
Demonstrate your ability to effectively teach evolution by creating a lesson plan that aligns with the course's learning objectives and incorporates engaging activities.
Browse courses on
Evolution
Show steps
-
Review the course syllabus and identify the key learning objectives related to evolution.
-
Research different teaching methods and activities that are appropriate for your target audience.
-
Design your lesson plan, including a detailed outline, engaging activities, and assessment strategies.
-
Pilot your lesson plan with a small group or in a mock teaching setting.
-
Reflect on your experience and make improvements to your lesson plan based on feedback.
Create a poster
Show steps
Demonstrate your understanding of evolution by creating a poster that illustrates the Tree of Life and the key concepts covered in the course.
Browse courses on
Tree of Life
Show steps
-
Research different species and their relationships.
-
Design a layout for your poster, including sections for the Tree of Life, Darwin's theories, and examples of natural selection.
-
Create visuals and write concise explanations for each section.
-
Proofread and finalize your poster.
Review basic biology concepts
Show steps
Enhance your understanding of the core principles of biology, which will serve as a foundation for the evolutionary concepts covered in the course.
Browse courses on
Biology
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review your lecture notes and textbook chapters on basic biology concepts.
- Take practice quizzes and review questions to test your understanding.
- Watch videos and read articles to reinforce your understanding of these concepts.
Review high school biology
Show steps
Refresh your memory of basic biological concepts to build a strong foundation for this course.
Browse courses on
Biology
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review your old textbooks and notes
- Take practice quizzes online
- Watch educational videos on YouTube
Watch educational videos on evolution
Show steps
Enhance your understanding of evolutionary concepts by watching educational videos created by experts in the field.
Browse courses on
Tree of Life
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find reputable sources of educational videos, such as reputable online platforms or documentaries.
- Choose videos that cover topics you find challenging or that you are interested in learning more about.
- Take notes and pause the videos as needed to process the information.
Six other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all nine activities
Gather resources on evolution for future reference
Show steps
Create a collection of reputable resources, such as articles, videos, and online simulations, to support your ongoing learning about evolution.
Browse courses on
Evolution
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Search for high-quality resources on evolution from reputable sources such as scientific journals, universities, and museums.
- Organize your resources by topic or theme.
- Consider using a digital tool or platform to store and access your resources.
Solve practice problems on population genetics
Show steps
Strengthen your understanding of population genetics and evolutionary processes by working through practice problems.
Browse courses on
Population Genetics
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find practice problems in your course materials or online resources.
- Attempt to solve the problems on your own.
- Check your answers and review the solutions to understand the concepts behind the problems.
Volunteer at a local science museum or natural history museum
Show steps
Deepen your understanding of evolution and its impact on the natural world by volunteering at a local science museum or natural history museum.
Browse courses on
Evolution
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a local science museum or natural history museum that offers volunteer opportunities.
- Apply for a volunteer position that aligns with your interests and skills.
- Attend volunteer training and orientation sessions.
- Assist visitors with exhibits and answer their questions about evolution and natural history.
- Participate in educational programs and events related to evolution.
Start a blog on evolution
Show steps
Reinforce your understanding of evolutionary principles by writing a series of blog posts that explore different aspects of evolution, such as the fossil record, genetic evidence, and human evolution.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Choose a blogging platform and create your blog.
- Brainstorm a list of topics related to evolution that you are interested in writing about.
- Research your chosen topics and gather credible sources.
- Write and publish your blog posts, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and proper citation of sources.
Design a lesson plan on evolution
Show steps
Demonstrate your ability to effectively teach evolution by creating a lesson plan that aligns with the course's learning objectives and incorporates engaging activities.
Browse courses on
Evolution
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review the course syllabus and identify the key learning objectives related to evolution.
- Research different teaching methods and activities that are appropriate for your target audience.
- Design your lesson plan, including a detailed outline, engaging activities, and assessment strategies.
- Pilot your lesson plan with a small group or in a mock teaching setting.
- Reflect on your experience and make improvements to your lesson plan based on feedback.
Create a poster
Show steps
Demonstrate your understanding of evolution by creating a poster that illustrates the Tree of Life and the key concepts covered in the course.
Browse courses on
Tree of Life
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research different species and their relationships.
- Design a layout for your poster, including sections for the Tree of Life, Darwin's theories, and examples of natural selection.
- Create visuals and write concise explanations for each section.
- Proofread and finalize your poster.
Career center
Learners who complete Evolution: A Course for Educators will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Evolutionary Biologist
Evolutionary Biologist
An Evolutionary Biologist studies the evolution of life on Earth. This course, Evolution: A Course for Educators, would be useful for Evolutionary Biologists who want to learn more about evolutionary biology and the history of life.
Paleontologist
Paleontologist
A Paleontologist studies the history of life on Earth through the fossil record. This course, Evolution: A Course for Educators, would be useful for Paleontologists who want to learn more about evolutionary biology and the history of life.
Anthropologist
Anthropologist
An Anthropologist studies the evolution and behavior of humans. This course, Evolution: A Course for Educators, would be useful for Anthropologists who want to learn more about evolutionary biology and the history of human evolution.
Taxonomist
Taxonomist
A Taxonomist identifies, names, and classifies organisms. This course, Evolution: A Course for Educators, would be useful for Taxonomists who want to learn more about evolutionary biology and the history of life.
Biology Teacher
Biology Teacher
A Biology Teacher is someone who teaches biology, which is the scientific study of life. The course, Evolution: A Course for Educators, focuses on the history of life on Earth, as well as the evolution of humans. This course would be useful for teachers who want to learn more about evolutionary biology so that they can effectively teach it to their students.
Geneticist
Geneticist
A Geneticist studies the genes and chromosomes of living organisms. This course, Evolution: A Course for Educators, would be useful for Geneticists who want to learn more about evolutionary biology and population genetics.
Museum Educator
Museum Educator
A Museum Educator develops and delivers educational programs for museum visitors. This course, Evolution: A Course for Educators, would be useful for Museum Educators who want to learn more about evolutionary biology and how to teach it to the public.
Ecologist
Ecologist
An Ecologist studies the interactions between organisms and their environment. This course, Evolution: A Course for Educators, would be useful for Ecologists who want to learn more about evolutionary biology and the role of natural selection in shaping ecosystems.
Science Writer
Science Writer
A Science Writer communicates scientific information to the public. This course, Evolution: A Course for Educators, would be useful for Science Writers who want to learn more about evolutionary biology and how to write about it in a clear and engaging way.
Curator
Curator
A Curator is responsible for the care and preservation of museum collections. They may also conduct research and interpret exhibits for the public. The course, Evolution: A Course for Educators, focuses on the history of life on Earth and could help Curators expand their knowledge of the objects in the exhibits.
Environmental Educator
Environmental Educator
An Environmental Educator teaches people about the environment and how to protect it. This course, Evolution: A Course for Educators, may be helpful for Environmental Educators who want to learn more about evolutionary biology and the role of natural selection in shaping ecosystems.
Archaeologist
Archaeologist
An Archaeologist studies the history and culture of past societies through the excavation and analysis of artifacts and structures. This course, Evolution: A Course for Educators, may be helpful for Archaeologists who want to learn more about evolutionary biology and the role of culture in human evolution.
Forensic Scientist
Forensic Scientist
A Forensic Scientist uses scientific methods to help solve crimes. This course, Evolution: A Course for Educators, may be helpful for Forensic Scientists who want to learn more about population genetics and the use of DNA evidence in forensic investigations.
Health Educator
Health Educator
Health Educator develops and teaches programs to improve people's health. This course, Evolution: A Course for Educators, may be helpful for Health Educators who want to learn more about evolutionary biology and how it can shape human health and behavior.
Science Teacher
Science Teacher
A Science Teacher can teach a variety of subjects, including biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science. This course, although focused on evolutionary biology, may be helpful for teachers who wish to expand their knowledge in the sciences to teach students at a secondary level.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/omb2pz/evolution
Reading list
We've selected ten books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Evolution: A Course for Educators.
Is the foundation of evolutionary science. Darwin's work is still essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the theory of evolution.
Save
Classic work of popular science that presents a compelling case for the theory of evolution. Dawkins argues that the evidence for evolution is overwhelming, and he provides a clear and concise explanation of the mechanisms of evolution.
Save
Comprehensive textbook on evolutionary biology. It covers a wide range of topics, from the history of evolutionary thought to the latest advances in molecular genetics.
Save
Clear and concise defense of the theory of evolution. Coyne argues that the evidence for evolution is overwhelming, and he provides a strong response to the arguments of creationists.
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of human evolution, from our earliest ancestors to the present day. It is written in a clear and engaging style, and is packed with illustrations and photographs.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the fossil record, and shows how it supports the theory of evolution. Prothero's writing is clear and concise, and he does a great job of explaining the complex scientific concepts involved in paleontology.
Save
Tells the story of human evolution from a unique perspective: it traces the evolution of our bodies from our fish-like ancestors. Shubin's writing is engaging and humorous, and he does a great job of explaining complex scientific concepts in a way that is easy to understand.
Examines the current extinction crisis, and explores the ways in which human activity is driving the extinction of species. Kolbert's writing is clear and concise, and she does a great job of explaining the complex scientific concepts involved in extinction.
Explores the philosophical implications of the theory of evolution. Dennett argues that evolution has profound implications for our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
Sweeping history of humanity, from our origins as hunter-gatherers to the present day. Harari argues that humans are a unique species, and he explores the ways in which our evolution has shaped our societies and cultures.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/omb2pz/evolution
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Effort
5-8 hours/week
Via
Coursera
Institution
American Museum of Natural History
Instructors
Joel Cracraft, Ph.D.
David Randle, Ph.D.
Language
English
Transcripts
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Good to know
Explores the concept of a universal "tree of life" depicting the evolution of all life on Earth from a common ancestor, which is essential knowledge for biologists
Investigates Darwin's revolutionary ideas of evolution by natural selection, providing a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental mechanisms driving biodiversity
Examines the history of life on Earth, including the role of extinction and the relationships among major groups of living things, which is critical for understanding the diversity and interconnectedness of life
Explores human evolution, including the characteristics and migrations of different human species, and provides strategies for teaching evolution in diverse classrooms
Taught by experienced instructors, Joel Cracraft and David Randle, who are recognized for their expertise in evolutionary biology and science education
Provides educators with resources and strategies for discovering and addressing student misconceptions about evolution, which is particularly valuable for fostering scientific literacy
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