BIOGEOGRAPHY

Old school New school CREATIVITY, INNOVATION, HOW? DISCOVERY, SUCCESS The goal of education Knowledge Old school New school Known knowledge Unknown knowledge Get to know what is already known Think critically CREATIVITY, INNOVATION, DISCOVERY, SUCCESS HOW? Time

We suck, Big time! We suck There is not thinking How good are we at fostering critical thinking? Information Memorizing Broken There is not thinking Articulate information to make decisions. And for that you need thinking. How are we to foster your chances of success, if all we teach you is to learn what make other people successful? Then, forget Education’s ultimate goal: CREATIVITY, INNOVATION, DISCOVERY, SUCCESS

Critical observation: What is there in this movie for us to learn? Critical observation: Let you see new patterns where others see just data This is key to new discoveries Solve mystery about how corals colonized the Eastern Pacific Interpretation: All you know is your interpretation of reality With the right elements, we can change the way we see things Re-evolution of science Change view on niche theory

The effect of critical thinking CRITICAL OBSERVATION There needs to be some degree of government oversight The winners will take it all Freedom for competition is the key to the American dream Who wants it? The American Dream: Large house Nice car Pretty wife … Behavioral economics Psychological projection, Sigmund Freud Optimism bias: “the demonstrated systematic tendency for people to be overly optimistic about the outcome of planned actions” Charm WINNERS LOSERS In the USA, 1% of the population has the same wealth as the remaining 99% Six people in the Walton Family have as much money as 90 million Americans Realistically, how many can get it?

We have a choice: Old school New school Known knowledge Unknown knowledge Old school New school Knowledge I teach you 100s of facts Time You memorize them You take a exam Then you forget

We have a choice: Old school New school Known knowledge Unknown knowledge Old school New school Knowledge We try my method Time To appreciate how people have reached novel knowledge in the past All lectures are documented with actual data Lectures Before each class students will pair and talk about the topic of the prior class. Expect to be asked to report your discussion to the entire class. During the course, at least three misleading or false or non-sense statements will be made, who finds them will get extra credit. Class participation and discussion Final project Hands on practice of concepts

x Where is the thinking? You have to think what you say There is, however, a catch You need to talk. We need to hear your thoughts Has to be graded You have to think what you say It takes this pressure out Articulate information to make decisions. And for that you need thinking. How are we to foster your chances of success, if all we teach you is to learn what make other people successful? x Concept reinforcement

How to foster critical thinking and rational or novel interpretation of information? Lectures Patterns Data Interpretation Take this exercise seriously, it will help your grade later on Grading class participation and discussion Before each class students will pair and talk about the topic of that day’s class. At least three students will be chosen to present the summary of their discussion to the entire class Final project Group presentation get a general sense of current knowledge and stimulate active participation in class Force you to investigate and discuss Biogeography issues

1. Review the literature and find a paper you would like to present Tasks: Group presentation 1. Review the literature and find a paper you would like to present Everyone needs to have this idea set and schedule by next class Final project 2. Have an idea of your research project and be ready to present it in five minutes for class discussions. First project presentations start next class and will continue the following Wednesday One minute Extinction 3. Find a species that has gone extinct because of us. And tell us why. One or two slides, with a photo of the species, its distribution and the drivers of their collapse

GRADING OPTIONS With final exam With no final exam Paper presentation 20% 20% Research and its presentation 20% 40% Class Participation and attendance 10% 10% Final exam??? 50% 0% Discussion exam??? 0% 30%