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Inquiry-based Learning in Plant Ecology: Students Collect the Field Data, Ask the Questions, and Propose the Answers

This Experiment is designed to teach upper-level students in a plant ecology course how to collect data on plant populations (distribution and abundance), develop hypotheses to explain observed patterns, and write a research proposal to test their hypotheses. The Experiment describes a semester long project requiring 13 classes that are 2 ¾ hours long each. The experimental setup is a 2 m X 30 m planted garden plot containing a mixture of planted (forb, grass, and legume) and volunteer plants. Students propose questions with specific measurable dependent and independent variables. Lab work typically required includes preparation and analysis of abiotic samples, such as soil samples, to measure variables such as soil moisture and soil texture.
Associated files
Format
Resource Group TIEE
Resource Group Link https://ecoed.esa.org/index.php?P=SearchResults&F46=TIEE
Primary or BEN resource type
Discipline Specific Core Concepts
Life science discipline (subject)
Keywords TIEE, pedagogy, student active, inquiry based, experiment, experimental design, hypothesis, test, proposal
Audience
Intended End User Role
Language
Educational Language
Pedagogical Use Category
Pedagogical Use Description This Experiment focuses on guiding students through the design of an experiment and the writing of a formal research proposal based on their observations in a garden plot. Students, working in groups, make qualitative observations, collect plant distribution data, collect and analyze abiotic variable data, propose and research questions, and propose a series of experiments to answer these questions. All proposed hypotheses are based upon the qualitative and quantitative observations made by the students. Hypotheses are generated by the student groups, reviewed by the instructor, and mutually agreed upon, after revisions, by students and instructor. Students individually prepare a written proposal and also present details of their proposals in small-research groups.
Aggregation Level
Structure
Url http://tiee.esa.org/vol/v2/experiments/proposal/abstract.html
Full Name of Primary Author Alan Griffith
Primary Author Controlled Name
Primary Author Affiliation Department of Biological Sciences, University of Mary Washington
Primary Author email agriffit@umw.edu
Added By Id
  • educationintern
Rights Copyright 2004 by Alan B. Griffith and the Ecological Society of America.
License
Publisher
Review type
Drought and Water Ecosystem Services Collection Off
Conservation Targets Under Global Change Collection Off
Big Data Collection Off
Editors Choice No
Resource Status
Date Of Record Submission 2007-12-26
I Agree to EcoEdDL's Copyright Policy & Terms of Use No
Date Of Record Release 2010-02-16 01:02:43
Last Modified By Id
  • educationintern
Date Last Modified 2018-07-23 14:03:44
Release Flag Published

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