Abstract
Evolutionary trees are powerful tools used in modern biological research, and also commonly used in textbooks and classroom instruction. Studies have shown that K-14 students have difficulties interpreting evolutionary trees. To improve student learning about this topic, it is essential to teach them how to understand and use trees like professional biologists. Unfortunately, few currently used teaching frameworks for evolution instruction are designed for this purpose. In this study we developed the Model of the Use of Evolutionary Trees (MUET), a conceptual model that characterizes how evolutionary trees were used by professional biologists as represented in their research publications. The development of the MUET was guided by the Concept-Reasoning-Mode of representation (CRM) model as well as a “model of modeling” framework. The MUET was then used to review instructional and assessment material for K-14 classrooms. Future studies with the MUET may inform the development of teaching materials for K-14 classrooms aimed at improving students’ understanding of and learning about evolutionary trees.
Keywords
evolutionary tree, model, biology research, biology, evolution
Date of this Version
2-1-2017
Volume
79
Issue
2
First Page
81
Last Page
90
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2017.79.2.81
Recommended Citation
Kong, Y., A. Thawani, T.R. Anderson, and N. Pelaez. A Model of the Use of Evolutionary Trees (MUET) to Inform K-14 Biology Education. The American Biology Teacher 79(2): 79-88, 2017.
Included in
Biology Commons, Evolution Commons, Higher Education and Teaching Commons, Science and Mathematics Education Commons, Secondary Education Commons, Secondary Education and Teaching Commons
Comments
This study, published in The American Biology Teacher, was selected as a Feature Article in the February 2017 Darwin & Evolution theme issue.
Published as Yi Kong, Ankita Thawani, Trevor Anderson, Nancy Pelaez. A Model of the Use of Evolutionary Trees (MUET) to Inform K-14 Biology Education. The American Biology Teacher, Vol. 79 No. 2, February 2017; (pp. 81-90) http://dx.doi.org/10.1525/abt.2017.79.2.81. © [2017] by the University of California. Copying and permissions notice: Authorization to copy this content beyond fair use (as specified in Sections 107 and 108 of the U. S. Copyright Law) for internal or personal use, or the internal or personal use of specific clients, is granted by [the Regents of the University of California/on behalf of the Sponsoring Society] for libraries and other users, provided that they are registered with and pay the specified fee via Rightslink® or directly with the Copyright Clearance Center.