Learner Description

Why It Matters

Lesson 1 of Preserving Biodiversity: Snapshot lessons with informational graphics

Learner description

This lesson is designed for students in college-level Biology for Nonmajors courses.

Overview of lesson

The lesson will take between one and three hours to complete. In this lesson, the learners will critically analyze two graphics. One graphic describes why biodiversity is important, and the other provides evidence that biodiversity is threatened. Students will test their learning using online interactive questions and/or by engaging in a class discussion. The lesson is meant to accompany Biology: Concepts and Investigations (author: Hoefnagels), but it can be revised to fit other textbooks that have web-based assignment platforms.

Standards

This lesson aligns with the National Science Education Standards in the area of “Science in Personal and Social Perspectives.”

a. Students should develop understanding of environmental quality.

b. Students should develop understanding of natural and human-induced hazards.

c. Students should develop understanding of natural resources.

d. Students should develop understanding of science and technology in local, national, and global challenges.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to…

… list what groups of species are most threatened. … describe five specific examples of why biodiversity is important. Instructional procedures

This lesson was created for online learners using McGraw-Hill Connect—a web-based assessment platform. The instructions that immediately follow will guide you through implementing the lesson using McGraw-Hill online tools. If you are teaching a traditional, face- to-face course, then follow the instructions that appear in the “Modifications for classroom learners” section. If you’re not using Connect or if you are not using Hoefnagels biology books, then the instructions below can easily be manipulated to fit your course’s needs.

Implementation for online learners

All content should be embedded in the following order in a unit called “Preserving Biodiversity” within your McGraw-Hill Connect course management system.

1. This lesson can be introduced using a Bozeman Science video that defines and introduces the importance of biodiversity. Embed the following link for students to review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-PE3ve3w2w.

2. The students should then read section 40.1 (Earth’s Biodiversity Is Dwindling) of Biology: Concepts and Investigations. Embed the E-book version of this section.

3. Students critically analyze the two graphics associated with lesson 1. They are titled We Need Biodiversity and Biodiversity Is Threatened.

4. Create a Connect assignment using questions tagged with section 40.1. Students are now prepared to compete this assignment.

5. Link to the class discussion forum or, optimally, instruct students to write a blog post. If you are not using forums or blogs in your course, then create a Connect essay question for students to complete. Regardless of the medium that you choose, use the prompt: Why is biodiversity important to humans? How might it be important to ecosystems? What types of organisms are most threatened? What might be the consequences if these organisms went extinct?

Modifications for classroom learners

1. Students should arrive in class having already read section 40.1 (Earth’s Biodiversity Is Dwindling) of Biology: Concepts and Investigations.

2. Begin a discussion about biodiversity by having each student name one organism. Write the list of organisms on the board. Then ask the class if they can identify how one of the listed organisms is useful to humans or to its ecosystem. Allow approximately 5 minutes for a discussion about the list of organisms.

3. Allow students to form groups, making sure that at least one student in each group has either a computer or a tablet device. Instruct them to navigate to the graphics associated with this lesson. They are titled We Need Biodiversity and Biodiversity Is Threatened.

4. Have students answer the following questions on a piece of paper: Why is biodiversity important to humans? How might it be important to ecosystems? What types of organisms are most threatened? What might be the consequences if these organisms went extinct?

5. Return to the list of organisms on the board. Select one organism for each group to stand up and discuss. Their discussion should answer why that organism important to humans and to ecosystems.

Supplemental activities Direct students that need more practice to LearnSmart. Embed LearnSmart practice for chapter 40 at the bottom of the Preserving Biodiversity unit within Connect.

Assessment/evaluation Assessment occurs within the lesson as students complete interactive questions in Connect covering the content of Biology: Concepts and Investigations section 40.1. Connect automatically grades this assignment. Review student performance and read student responses to the essay question. Students should articulate specific ways that diverse organisms (i.e., not just plants or animals, but organisms in several groups) are useful to humans and to ecosystems. They should also articulate that diverse organisms are threatened. Provide student feedback via email.

Learner products At the end of the lesson, students will have a blog post that describes to readers why biodiversity is important and that it is threatened. If a blog post is not possible, then students will complete an essay on biodiversity.