This module is part of the larger PBS/WGBH web site on evolution. This entire site is worthy of biology instructors' attention. This tutorial provides an interactive examination of three different cases examining the relationship of organisms. Beginning with a relatively easy example (with a wolf, dolphin and shark) in which many students would group the organisms based on overall similarity, they all the students to see key evidence that will lead them to another conclusion. This methodology is used in two increasingly difficult cases. The materials include basic methods used to generate phylogenetic hypotheses using morphological and molecular data, and extensive references to keywords in a detailed glossary.
Type of Material:
Interactive tutorial / animation
Recommended Uses:
This material could be used as part of an in class assignment to introduce the basics of phylogenetics, for use by students to prepare for or review lessons in phylogenetics, or a a remedial tutorial in basic phylogenetics. There is additional material that will lead instructors to additional resources at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/educators/teachstuds/tguide.html
Technical Requirements:
Macromedia Flash
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Identify ancestral and derived characters and their value in the generation of phylogenetic hypotheses.
Recognition that overall superficial similarity is not adequate for understanding phylogenetic relationships.
Understand the role of outgroups in determining the polarity of character evolution.
Provide a basic understanding of chordate evolution.
Target Student Population:
These materials would be suitable for both high school biology and introductory biology at the college level.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Some basic understanding of chordate anatomy and evolution would be helpful; the better prepared students in anatomy the more likely it is that they would be able to use this as an independent activity.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The materials are superbly illustrated, animated, written, and important terms are defined in the glossary
The majority of the examples are described adequately for those not well versed in anatomy to understand (most are presence/absence trait or well labeled).
An excellent collection of three interactive animations on using homology and DNA sequences to infer evolutionary relatedness.
Concerns:
In the jaw morphology example of the shark, there is not enough information for a novice to understand why the jaw morphology of the shark is quite different from mammal jaw morphology. This will require some instructor intervention.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The materials flow logically building in complexity and difficulty
This applet could be used in multiple settings including lecture where even more detail could be brought in by the instructor.
Incorporates problem-solving skills.
Good use of applying theoretical concepts to a real example.
High quality images and diagrams will draw students into the process of building a tree.
Could develop an assignment based upon this exercise.
Concerns:
Some of the information about anatomical characteristics lacks sufficient detail for students to interpret without additional information.
Currently no other questions asked.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The design of the modules is well thought out, and easily discovered.
Users can access materials within in a case in a non-linear fashion and can return to materials one they have been through all the cases.
Each unit builds logically from the previous.
Concerns:
The flash applet is not resizeable and some details were rather small on the computers on which the materials were reviewed.
Textual information about a particular characteristic was inaccessible after progressing to the comparative images without reloading the applet.
It wasn't clear at first how to use the data at the bottom,
but it could be figured out by trial and error.
Creative Commons:
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