Evolution Labs

                                              Website Link: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/labs/lab/evolution/

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Full Description

 Evolution Lab is one of several labs created by

PBS/NOVA Labs and is a hands-on, interactive, online lab

concerning phylogenetics and evolution. It has a

well-designed interface with clear instructions, explanatory

videos, beginner “practice” trees, species-specific

information, questions, and other resources. The activity

that is done through this lab involves identifying common

traits, morphology, DNA, shared between particular

groups of organisms and developing stage by stage an

evolutionary tree. It is an application meant to teach students the evolutionary relationships between organisms as well as the fact that even seemingly unrelated organisms can share many traits.

 

Classroom Implementation & Educational Rationale

Evolution Lab can directly complement the grade 11 Biology Evolution unit. While it doesn’t provide as much background information as may be necessary for a full understanding of evolution, the activity can be used to complement in-class instruction to reinforce knowledge about evolution. Hands-on activities, especially with the use of technology, colourful images and self-directed learning, have the potential to vastly improve student engagement and student retention of new information. As such, this Evolution Lab would be a great tool to use near or at the end of the evolution unit for students to discover for themselves what they have learned about evolution. 

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Connections to Research

​NOVA Lab’s Evolution Lab is a game that aims to teach

students about evolution. As an online game with a

colourful, intricate and interactive interface/images,

it may have the potential to improve various student

skills. It may improve students’ ability to identify small

details against a cluttered background, the ability to

track objects in the environment, as well as the ability

to differentiate between different shades of

gray (TED, 2012). As a student-directed game, the Evolution Lab also empowers students to take learning into their own hands, promotes problem-solving skills (all too little used in a traditional classroom setting), and continual practice using the Evolution Lab can lead to long-term retention of information (Thorn, 2013).

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Reference

TED. (2012). Your brain on video games | Daphne Bavelier [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FktsFcooIG8&ab_channel=TED

 

Thorn, C. (2013, November 13). Jim Gee principles on gaming. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aQAgAjTozk&ab_channel=ChrisThorn

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                                                                                    Provided By Mary Lu