Common Misconceptions
Figure 5F
Misconceptions Addressed
There are many misconceptions in the field of Evolution. Evolution may also be the most highly debated subject matter in grade 11 biology. There are three things that teachers must be alert and conscientious about when teaching the unit.
Firstly teachers must be PREPARED to teach the unit. Teachers must ensure that they are updated and comfortable with content to teach to their classes and address any questions that students may have. It is also important that teachers know misconceptions that their students may have in order to dispel them before the student assumes them as the truth.
Another aspect that is very important for a teacher to have when they teach evolution in a school is to be RESPECTFUL to students who may have to sit out or miss out on the lessons as requested by parents. Students should still be accommodated to learn the content in a way that does not negatively impact their learning. The teacher should ensure that students have assignments that ensure they look into both sides of the evolutionary debate (which will be discussed more in the assessment section of this website). A teacher must respect the input of parents, but overall with the support of the administration decide on accommodations if any to be provided for the students.
Teachers must also be accepting to new perspectives that students may bring to the class. Students with perspectives other than those that are in line with the theory of evolution may challenge a teacher and ask questions that a teacher must be prepared for.
Following are two different sources that encompass some of the common misconceptions that students may have. Scroll down below for the links for the top 5 or top 15 misconceptions that students may have.
Depending on your class you may want to focus on the top 5 misconceptions that exist, or go into more simpler misconceptions and break them down step by step
Lets take some time to see different ways in which educators can dispel misconceptions.
Students may think ...
1) Evolution and natural selection are the same thing
It is important that students understand that Natural Selection is the driving force of Evolution.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO TO HELP DEMYSTIFY THIS MYTH
2) Evolution has never been observed
Students should be exposed to many different types of studies that demonstrate evolution and natural selection occurring.
CLICK HERE FOR A CASE STUDY ABOUT BACTERIA RESISTANCE
3) There are no transitional fossils for evidence of evolution
There are actually many, but not by the 'man-made' categories we are familiar with. If students look into case studies that deepen their familiarity with transitional fossils, they will be able to see for themselves how it occurs.
CLICK HERE FOR SOME FOSSIL EVIDENCE RELATING TO ARCHAEOPTERYX
There are many misconceptions in the field of Evolution. Evolution may also be the most highly debated subject matter in grade 11 biology. There are three things that teachers must be alert and conscientious about when teaching the unit.
Firstly teachers must be PREPARED to teach the unit. Teachers must ensure that they are updated and comfortable with content to teach to their classes and address any questions that students may have. It is also important that teachers know misconceptions that their students may have in order to dispel them before the student assumes them as the truth.
Another aspect that is very important for a teacher to have when they teach evolution in a school is to be RESPECTFUL to students who may have to sit out or miss out on the lessons as requested by parents. Students should still be accommodated to learn the content in a way that does not negatively impact their learning. The teacher should ensure that students have assignments that ensure they look into both sides of the evolutionary debate (which will be discussed more in the assessment section of this website). A teacher must respect the input of parents, but overall with the support of the administration decide on accommodations if any to be provided for the students.
Teachers must also be accepting to new perspectives that students may bring to the class. Students with perspectives other than those that are in line with the theory of evolution may challenge a teacher and ask questions that a teacher must be prepared for.
Following are two different sources that encompass some of the common misconceptions that students may have. Scroll down below for the links for the top 5 or top 15 misconceptions that students may have.
Depending on your class you may want to focus on the top 5 misconceptions that exist, or go into more simpler misconceptions and break them down step by step
Lets take some time to see different ways in which educators can dispel misconceptions.
Students may think ...
1) Evolution and natural selection are the same thing
It is important that students understand that Natural Selection is the driving force of Evolution.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO TO HELP DEMYSTIFY THIS MYTH
2) Evolution has never been observed
Students should be exposed to many different types of studies that demonstrate evolution and natural selection occurring.
CLICK HERE FOR A CASE STUDY ABOUT BACTERIA RESISTANCE
3) There are no transitional fossils for evidence of evolution
There are actually many, but not by the 'man-made' categories we are familiar with. If students look into case studies that deepen their familiarity with transitional fossils, they will be able to see for themselves how it occurs.
CLICK HERE FOR SOME FOSSIL EVIDENCE RELATING TO ARCHAEOPTERYX
Figure 6F
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Figure 7F
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4) "The theory of evolution says that life originated, and evolution proceeds, by random chance."
The term 'selection' is itself the opposite of chance. Students should understand that evolution is not in anyway related to abiogenesis (the theory of the origin of life), but instead how life has progressed since.
5) "Evolution is only a theory; it hasn't been proved."
Students should understand that there are different definitions of evolution that are thrown out in society. For instance one definition is that evolution is the change in allele frequencies of a species by 100%. Looking at other definitions teachers must be ready to know the different definitions and how to allow the students to develop an understanding the process of evolution and how it can be proven.
Species may have one common ancestor and could have differentiated via mutations, natural selection, and genetic drift.
CLICK HERE FOR AN ACTIVITY THAT CAN BE USED TO PROVE EVOLUTION
The term 'selection' is itself the opposite of chance. Students should understand that evolution is not in anyway related to abiogenesis (the theory of the origin of life), but instead how life has progressed since.
5) "Evolution is only a theory; it hasn't been proved."
Students should understand that there are different definitions of evolution that are thrown out in society. For instance one definition is that evolution is the change in allele frequencies of a species by 100%. Looking at other definitions teachers must be ready to know the different definitions and how to allow the students to develop an understanding the process of evolution and how it can be proven.
Species may have one common ancestor and could have differentiated via mutations, natural selection, and genetic drift.
CLICK HERE FOR AN ACTIVITY THAT CAN BE USED TO PROVE EVOLUTION
