Name MelissaCamacho
Submitted on 9/21/2005 4:26:37 PM
Topic: LC2
Lauer,Thomas E. (Sept. 2003). Conceptualizing Ecology: A Learning Cycle Approach. The American Biology Teacher, 65, 518-522.
Summary
This article is about how to conceptualize Ecology in a less monotone lecture way. Since ecology has a lot of terms to memorize, he feels that lectures is not providing students with the true meaning of the terms being taught. Therefore, providing games and simulations that follow the three-phase learning cycle in the classroom will help students understand the true meaning of the words being taught. Lauer provides three major examples of activities that will help teachers and students learn terms in ecology, physiological ecology, population ecology and ecosystem ecology. Within these examples, Lauer gives the objectives and the methods of which are the learning cycle phases in the games being taught. In all three examples, the students are engaging the the activities as the teacher is giving the terms being taught.
Reaction
I loved lauer's active-learning games for students to learn vocabulary on ecology. His activities brings the students into the subjects being taught and at the same time, learning in a fun and exciting way. It really does break away from boring lectures that does not help students learn the meaning of new terms.