This modification differs from the original module in several ways, while retaining the overall learning objective of analyzing population demography. This modification lets students collect data from online cemetery databases during class, eliminating the need for students to transport themselves to a local cemetery outside of class time. This modification also includes a life table template exercise to familiarize students with life table calculations and graphing in Excel. By implementing the module entirely during class, the instructor can also help mitigate any group dynamics issues arising from group work. Link to modified materials: https://qubeshub.org/qubesresources/publications/1850/1

This message was edited by ernlarson on June 22, 2020 at 11:46 am.

I implemented a version of this exercise in a sophomore level majors course with added material from a module about data management. The course was fully online and asynchronous, so we used findagrave.com to collect the cemetery data. The module included both discussion and homework activities. The link to the modified materials can be found here: https://qubeshub.org/qubesresources/publications/1872/1

I implemented this in an upper-level ecology lab with 12 students and modified it so students were only collecting data online from cemetery records. My modifications and teaching notes can be found here: https://qubeshub.org/qubesresources/publications/534/1

I used a modified module in an upperdivision Ecology elective course at UTRGV, a Hispanic Serving Institution in deep south Texas. Although a large course, we arranged for field trips to the local cemetery in four groups of 25. This was largely impactful because I had done something similar using archived data, and I think the impact was not the same. Students commented on how much they enjoyed walking around the cemetary, and allowed them to use different observations to formulate a hypothesis on differences in survivorship of different populations. I've included commentary and documentation here: https://qubeshub.org/groups/scalingup/collections/demography-from-physical-cemeteries-virtual-cemeteries-and-census-data

I used this module in a new course on Modeling in the Life Sciences. The students enjoyed finding their own sources of data for comparison and analysis. More complete comments on the implementation are found here: https://qubeshub.org/collections/post/1473

This message was edited by tmourad on June 16, 2016 at 11:27 am.

I used this module in the context of an upper level ecology class for biology and environmental studies majors. I used the virtual cemetery option to make the entire activity fit into a three hour session. Of all the labs I do in this class, this one connects most easily and fully with the broader liberal arts emphasis of my institution. https://qubeshub.org/collections/post/1472

This message was edited by tmourad on June 16, 2016 at 11:29 am.

I used this module in a small (12 students) introductory Ecology course for undergraduate Biology majors. This module was adaptable to local (Puerto Rico) populations, making it more relevant. This module achieves several major learning objectives including: formulate hypotheses, design experiments, and collect, analyze, and interpret data. I included additional assignments to introduce terminology and to connect this module to broader concepts previously discussed (e.g. climate change). It is strongly recommended that students have a basic knowledge of excel (including how to create formula) before implementing this module. I have posted instructor notes and modified resources for implementing this module: https://qubeshub.org/collections/post/1470

This message was edited by hulshof on May 20, 2016 at 1:25 pm.