The real world without C-TOOLS

The ideal world with C-TOOLS

Which scenario would you bet money on?

The Grandma Johnson Problem Hypothetical Scenario: Grandma Johnson had very sentimental feelings toward Johnson Canyon, Utah where she and her late husband had honeymooned long ago. Her feelings toward this spot were such that upon her death she requested to be buried under a creosote bush overlooking the canyon. She loved the idea that she'd become part of the wonderful wilderness and live on through the wildlife that lived there. Think to yourself and begin to trace the path of a carbon atom from Grandma Johnson's (GJ) remains to where it could become part of a coyote (NOTE: the coyote WILL NOT dig up Grandma and consume any of her remains). What fundamental pathways and processes of biology will be involved in the transit of GJ's carbon atoms to that of the wild coyote in Utah?

Task: Create a concept map that illustrates your understanding of the relationship between these 10 concepts in the context of the Grandma Johnson problem. You may add up to 5 extra concepts if you need them to explain the problem more clearly. photosynthesis respiration carbon cycle decomposers primary producers consumers carbon dioxide glucose energy oxygen 1. Work on the problem individually first, save it in CTOOLS, and print a hard copy. 2. Work on the problem with a partner. Both of you can retrieve your concept maps, discuss, revise and produce the best final map to which both of you have contributed. 3. Submit all three maps - yours, your partner's and the FINAL MAP you completed together - Please put the final map on top, with both of your names. Staple them together (5 pts off if not stapled).

C-TOOLS Research Question: Is there a correlation between students’ concept map and their written explanation of a problem? Methods: 1. Develop a diagnostic problem 2. Build into instructional design 3. Student complete as homework 4. Develop coding scheme and analyze

The Spider Monkey Problem Deep within the remote forest of Guatemala, the remains of a spider monkey were buried under an enormous mahogany tree. Although rare, jaguars have been spotted in this forest by local farmers. Use coherently written sentences and clearly labeled drawings to explain how a carbon atom in glucose contained within the muscle cells of the spider monkey might become part of a cell within the stomach lining of a jaguar. Provide a written description of the processes AND organisms the carbon atom must go through to cycle through the ecosystem. Include a clearly labeled drawing of the system. (Note: the jaguar does not dig up the monkey and eat the remains!)

Task: Create a concept map that illustrates your understanding of the hierarchy and relationships between these 10 concepts: photosynthesis respiration carbon cycle decomposers primary producers consumers carbon dioxide glucose energy oxygen

Key Concepts - Spider Monkey Problem Concept in Extended Response Links on Concept Map 1. Decomposers perform respiration. decomposers / respiration 2. Respiration releases CO2. respiration / CO2 decomposers / CO2 3. Primary producers perform photosynthesis. primary producers / photosynthesis 4. Photosynthesis requires intake of CO2. photosynthesis / CO2 primary producers / CO2 5. Photosynthesis produces glucose. photosynthesis / glucose primary producers / glucose 6. Carbon moves through food chain to consmers (e.g. Jaguar). consumer / primary producer consumer / glucose

Coding Criteria Each key concept coded correct [C] incorrect [I] non-informative [N] absent [A] for both concept map and extended response. Each key concept counted Match:same coding on map and writing or No match: different coding on map and writing

Matches Between Concept Map & Extended Response Spider Monkey Problem

Concept Present: Both C-Map & Extended Response Spider Monkey Problem

Non-matches: Concept Included on C-map or Extended Response Only Spider Monkey Problem

The Plant Adaptation Problem Problem: In this course, we have claimed that land plants were the first truly terrestrial organisms. However, most biologists contend that the saturated soils on land were undoubtedly teaming with bacteria, archaea, and protists long before land plants evolved. In light of this, what does the phrase "truly terrestrial” mean? To answer this question follow these instructions:

Task: Make a concept map using the following concepts: adaptation dispersal fitness flowers fruit leaves photosynthesis reproduction roots seeds vascular tissue 2. PRINT one copy for yourself then SUBMIT a copy electronically. 3. Then, using your concept map, write a short response to answer the question by explaining the problems plants had to overcome to live on land, and explain the adaptations that allowed plants to overcome those problems. 4. After you finish you short response, print it out and use a highlighter to highlight the statements (propositions) you used directly from your concept map. You should have elaborated (explained) further upon these statements in your written response. 5. Hand in hard copy of (a) concept map and (b) written, highlighted answer.

Key Concepts - Plant Adaptation Problem Key Concepts in Extended Response Links on Concept Map 1. Adaptation increases fitness. adaptation / fitness 2. Fitness “is” reproduction. fitness / reproduction 3. Vascular tissue is an adaptation for getting water on land. vascular tissue / roots 4. Leaves are and adaptation for photosynthesis on land. leaves / photosynthesis 5. Flowers are an adaptation for reproduction on land. flowers / reproduction 6. Seeds are an adaptation for dispersal on land. seeds / dispersal

Matches Between Concept Map & Extended Response Plant Adaptation Problem Upper 25% of Students

Concept Present: Both C-Map & Extended Response Plant Adaptation Problem Upper 25% of Students

Non-matches: Concept Included on C-map or Extended Response Only Plant Adaptation Problem