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Active Learning Strategies in theBiology Classroom
DJ WestSr. National Science [email protected]://science-
teachers.blogspot.com
MCCB Fall Conference
October 22-24, 2010
Quick Write / Pair Share
How To Vote via Texting
TIPS
Greatest Challenge
One of the major problemsSummary of Active LearningStrategies Inquiry Activities
Presentation Strategies
Reading Strategies
Conceptualization
Writing Strategies
Technology Connections
Connections to the RealWorld
Modeling
Active Assessment
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Inquiry StrategiesLabs, Labs, Labs
Launch Labs
Mini Labs
Full Labs
Data Analysis
Virtual Labs
Stations
Lab Practicals
Labs:An Integral Part Of The Lesson Labs are not separate from the lesson.
Incorporate labs at the point oflearning.
Use labs constantly.
Analyze the data.
Incorporate the data and conclusions ofthe labs into the subsequent learning
Have students design their ownexperiments
Follow-up on Labs
Check forunderstanding onthe lab.
Give a lab quiz. Letstudents use theirlab papers.
Ask top-downquestions.
EXAMPLE1 . Analyze your data by constructing a graph.
(What is the best way to graph your data?)2. What are some possible sources of
unavoidable error in your design?3. Why were they present?4. How did your manipulation of the independent
variable affect the results?5. Connect the concepts and results to at least
two things in your daily life and explain theconnection.
Presentation Tools Tech to Try: Presentation Tools
There are
some cautions
to be aware ofwhen using
presentation
software.
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Presentation Tools - Hyperlinks
Method One: Insert Hyperlink
Method Two: Go to AutoShapes and Insert an
Action Button. It will allow you to insert a
Hyperlink
Presentation Tools SWF files
www.teachersdomain.org
Videos (Downloadable and Streaming)
Activities
Lesson Plans
www.merlot.org
Videos (Downloadable and Streaming)
Activities
Lesson Plans
Active Reading / Note TakingStrategies KWL Word Splash
Anticipation Guides Combination Notes Cornell Notes
Active Reading Strategiescreate anticipation forreading selections andreflection on what studentshave read.
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KWL Know Want to Know-LearnedHave students read a section of the text
or a related article and have themanswer the following questions:
What is something I Already Knew?
What is something I Want to Know?
What is something I Learned?
KWL Know Want to Know-LearnedKNOW WANT TO KNOW LEARNED
Word Splash
A word splash is a collection of keywords or concepts chosen from apassage or chapter that students areabout to read. This strategy givesstudents a chance to relate the newwords or concepts to the main topic ofthe reading.
Word Splash Your Turn
Before you read Article #1, pick three of thefollowing words and write down how you think thethree words relate to each other in the article.
Long
Period 3gene
Truck Driver
Anticipation Guide
In a an anticipation guide activity, you predict
the answers to a series of statements before
you read a selection. After reading you goback and see how accurate your prior
knowledge was.
1. This is a great pre-read strategy.
2. It deals strongly with misconceptions.
Anticipation Guide
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Combination NotesCombination notes are particularly useful for
students who learn well through visuals. By adding asketch to an informal outline, students draw a pictureto help them understand and recall information.
Combination Notes
Additional Formats:
Column One Column Two
Major Points Minor Points
Outline Examples
General Detail
Cornell Notes
In the right handcolumn of the chart,write an outline of thesection.
After writing theoutline, list key wordsfrom the section in theleft hand column.
At the bottom of thepage, write a summaryof the outline.
Key Words: Outline:
Summary:
Cornell Notes
In the right handcolumn of the chart,write an outline of thesection.
After writing theoutline, list key wordsfrom the section in theleft hand column.
At the bottom of thepage, write a summaryof the outline.
Key Words: Outline:
Summary:
Conceptualization Strategies
Main Idea Webs
Y Diagrams
Sequence Diagrams Concept Maps
Foldables (A Glencoe Exclusive)
Main Idea Web
A main idea web connectsimportant concepts and details.
Students can increase thenumber of boxes to includemore information as needed.
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Main Idea Web
Types of Organic Macromolecules
Carbohydrates / Polysaccharides Proteins
Lipids Nucleic Acids
Your Turn!
Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic cells have key
differences.
Develop a main idea web with the first
sentence above as your main idea and boxes
to show two differences for eukaryotic cells
on the left and two differences for prokaryotic
cells on the right.
Foldables
Foldables are a physically created graphic
organizers that are used to involve students in
an active search and organization of main
ideas of a concept or concepts.
They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and
have been shown in research to engage
students in science concepts and to increase
achievement.
Y Diagrams Sequence Diagrams
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Concept Maps
Four ways that information can clarify a concept
are by
explaining a process
identifying effects
providing examples
dividing a concept into parts
Concept Maps
Writing Strategies
Quick Write / Pair Share
RAFT Summary
Content Frames
Analogies
Position Papers
Quick Write / Pair Share
Think and write down what you know or havelearned about a particular topic.
After you have written down your thoughts and thefacilitator have given the signal, pair with anotherperson with another person and share your thoughtson the topic.
When the facilitator gives the signal, pair withanother pair and do the same.
As a foursome, come up with a summary list of yourthoughts.
RAFT Summary
The goal of thisstrategy is to havestudents think about
their perspective onthe topic and theiraudience. See thefollowing examples.
RAFT Summary Your Turn
Role Newspaper
Reporter
Audience NewspaperReaders
Format Obituary
Topic CFCs
Role Family
Member
Audience Passer bys
Format Epitaph
Topic Charles
Darwin
or
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Content Frames: Chemical Bonds
Bond Type Nature of Bond Example Relative
strengthcompared to
other types of
bonds
Ionic Bonds
Covalent Bonds
Hydrogen Bonds
Content Frames: Organic MoleculesGroup Atomic
Elements
Monomer/Base
Unit
Sub Groups Des cription Functions Examples
Carbohydrates Monosaccharide/Simple Sugar
Disaccharide/Compound Sugar
Polysaccharide
Lipids Unsaturated Fats
Saturated Fats
Steroids
Proteins No subgroup
Nucleic Acids DNA
RNA
Analogies
An analogy is an extended comparison between two
subjects. It is often used to help explain unfamiliar
concepts, theories, and words by comparing them to
more familiar ones.
For example, one can compare Earths layers to the
layers of a hard-boiled egg. After students gain
experience in using analogies, ask them to list
another process, concept, or theory and think of their
own analogies.
EXAMPLE
Suppose that photosynthesis or cellularrespiration takes place in a factory. You area tour guide at the factory, explaining eachstep of the process to a group of visitors.Using analogies, describe what happens ateach step or in each section of the factory.Be sure to include important details of theprocess you select.
Position Papers
Position papers allow the students to do
research on a controversial or debatable topic
and then write their position on the topicbased on their research and on their personal
opinions.
Guidelines should be given along with rubrics
so students have a clear idea of the teachers
expectations.
Position Papers: Examples
Stem Cell Research
Global Warming
Deforestation
Genetic Engineering
of Food Sources
Intelligent Design as
Science
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Technology Strategies
Virtual Labs
Creating Websites
Classroom Blogs
Online Partnerships
Interactive Websites
Virtual Labs
Virtual Labs do not replace hands-on
experiences but a valuable tools for thefollowing:
1. To engage students
2. To allow students to experience lab situationsthat are too dangerous for the classroom orimpractical because of equipment.
3. To allow students enrichment experiences.
4. To make up a missed classroom lab.
Virtual Labs Classroom Blogs
A Blog is a web log that allows topics to be
posted and commented upon.
A good site to try for your first classroom blog is
www.blogspot.com
http://science-teachers.blogspot.com
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Connecting Science to the Real World
News Links
Case Studies
Community and
Education Projects
Webquests
News Links
There are a variety of sources for current
updates on science in the news. Many ofthese feature short articles on the topics weare teaching on in our classrooms. Thesekeep our teaching relevant and often engagestudents. RSS feeds are available to updateyou. Cooperative learning strategies andactive reading strategies should be used withcurrent news.
News Links
Science News Links
ScienceDailyhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/ index.htm
CNN Science & Space News http://www.cnn.com/ TECH/ space/
ScienCentral News http://www.sciencentral.com
National Geographic News http://news.nationalgeographic.com/
Science Daily
Case Studies
These are problem based learning exercises. They
have been used for years in some disciplines like
medicine and law, but have been shown in
research to have a definite impact on learning
science. For further information go to The
National Center for Case Study Teaching in
Science
http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/cases/case.html
Case Studies: Example
Cloning Man's Best FriendThe Cleaver family of television fame faces adilemmawhether or not to clone their recentlydeceased dog Spot. Written for a high schoolintroductory biology class, the case providesstudents with an opportunity to discuss animalcloning and its ethical implications. Students role-play the viewpoints of the father and mother, Jackand Grace Cleaver, and their son Ralphy as well asthe dog Spot and debate the various positions oncloning. Eric Przykuta, Lancaster Middle School
National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science: http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/cases/case.html
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Community and Education Projects
These are hands on projects that students
choose to get involved in or that you set up as
a full class activity. Contact your local
Department of Natural Resources,
Community Government Office, University
Science Department, and Local Corporations.
Community and EducationProjects
Examples:
Rouge Rescue
Modeling
Small Scale
Large Scale
Small Scale Modeling
Large Scale Modeling
Have students actually role play concepts.
Examples:
DNA Replication, RNA Transcription
Predator/Prey Relationships
Active Assessment
Quick Check Card Responses
Quick Check Other Forms
Quick Check - CRS
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Quick Checks Card Responses1. Protein synthesis occurs at the Golgi Complex.
2. Mitosis is the cell division that produces two identicaldaughter cells.
3. Global Warming is a figment of the imagination and AlGore.
4. Biology is the Science of the 21st Century.
5. Gymnosperms include evergreens and liverworts.
6. Competition in generally occurs within an individualpopulation.
7. Glencoe Science Rocks.
8. Enough Already.
Summary of Active LearningStrategies Inquiry Activities
Presentation Strategies Reading Strategies
Conceptualization
Writing Strategies
Technology Connections
Connections to the RealWorld
Modeling
Active Assessment
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