Teach different: The <scp>CREATE</scp> pedagogy for ecology and evolution

Lortie, Christopher J.

doi:10.1002/ece3.9747

Ecology and Evolution

2023

DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9747

|View full text |Cite

Teach different: The CREATE pedagogy for ecology and evolution

Christopher J. Lortie

Abstract: Science is creative. Reading scientific literature can also be a creative, critical thinking process. Active reading can include highlighting, annotation, and note-taking (Soto et al., 2019). It can also include asking questions whilst reading-not answering them (Cohen, 1983;Singer, 1978). These approaches to reading and study can increase retention, comprehension, and engagement with scientific

Help me understand this report

Search citation statements

Order By: Relevance

Paper Sections

Select...

Citation Types

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Year Published

2023

2024

Publication Types

Select...

Article2

Relationship

Self Cite0

Independent2

Authors

Journals

Cited by 2 publications

References 15 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

Free Online Multiplayer Games as Inclusive Tools for Teaching Ecology

Erfanian

2024

Bulletin Ecologic Soc America

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Teaching ecology is the primary way of communicating the current knowledge in the discipline to future generations. Besides general tools (e.g., lectures, videos, simulations, and having students read published literature), experimenting and field practices are two principal ways to teach ecology. However, funding shortages along with the fact that some phenomena occur in large spatial and long temporal scales, hinder the use of experiments and fieldwork in pedagogy. Computer‐based games are interactive digital tools that were initially designed to be entertaining and engaging. In addition, they are effective motivational educational tools that are already being used in the pedagogy of various majors. Still, few studies have assessed the application of games in teaching ecology. Although those studies reported positive feedback from the students, they reported that making these games is expensive and time‐consuming. Therefore, educators would benefit from using free and globally accessible games. Here, I introduce the application of online multiplayer games in teaching ecology. Recently, I explored a snake game in which its environment resembles artificial ecosystems. Each player (i.e., each snake) can be regarded as an individual of a population or a species within a community. Then, a couple of general ecological rules, phenomena, and analyses can be easily inferred from these games. I asked the undergraduate students to play these games, collect the data, and write a report on their analysis. The students deduced different ecological phenomena from their in‐game experience and reported these games are useful and fun to play. Many games have been produced to increase global awareness of human actions on the environment. These games are geared toward various age groups, including children, young adults, and adults. Two obstacles hinder the use of these games in pedagogy. First, most of the games are not globally accessible, and second, their effectiveness in teaching has not been assessed yet. I envision a future where online games are integrated as part of the pedagogy in ecology. These games are globally accessible, therefore, no barriers exist to test the application of these games. I encourage the readers to conduct a global survey on their usefulness. This might be a step toward reaching a globally inclusive pedagogy in ecology.

show abstract

Free Online Multiplayer Games as Inclusive Tools for Teaching Ecology

Erfanian

2024

Bulletin Ecologic Soc America

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Stimulating curiosity and critical thinking: the legacy of William Eberhard

Farji-Brener

2023

Animal Behaviour

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact Info

customersupport@researchsolutions.com

10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614

Henderson, NV 89052, USA

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Blog Terms and Conditions API Terms Privacy Policy Contact Cookie Preferences Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Made with 💙 for researchers

Part of the Research Solutions Family.

Teach different: The CREATE pedagogy for ecology and evolution

Cited by 2 publications

References 15 publications

Free Online Multiplayer Games as Inclusive Tools for Teaching Ecology

Free Online Multiplayer Games as Inclusive Tools for Teaching Ecology

Stimulating curiosity and critical thinking: the legacy of William Eberhard

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About