by Kelly Taylor, Washington University Saint Louis Missouri
Rationale
This WebQuest case study is intended to engage students and create a deeper understanding of symbiotic relationships. The students will first research the important ecological roles and various symbiotic relationships of bats while also addressing misconceptions about this organism. Students will create a PowerPoint presentation to share information about these relationships. The students will also participate in an online predator prey simulation lab that will allow them to explore the impact of carrying capacity and population size of predator and prey on a healthy ecosystem. The culminating project is a skit or animation of at least three species that are part of interconnected symbiotic relationships.
Teacher Introduction
The purpose for this WebQuest was to engage students in a case study on symbiotic relationships. I teach in an urban high school with a predominantly at risk student population. Traditionally, my students have struggled most with identifying and understanding the complexity of interdependence and symbiosis in our ecology unit. I created this WebQuest to create a scaffolded learning experience that revolves around symbiotic relationships. The first task is intended as an introduction and helps students understand symbiotic relationships from a specific species standpoint. The emphasis is on the relationships of that species with others. The second task is to participate in a predator/prey simulation lab, which provides a demonstration of the effects of competition and carrying capacity on an ecosystem. The culminating task is a student led project to research various organisms within natural relationships and create a skit or animation that represents the complexities of the interdependence of the relationships.
Rationale
This WebQuest case study is intended to engage students and create a deeper understanding of symbiotic relationships. The students will first research the important ecological roles and various symbiotic relationships of bats while also addressing misconceptions about this organism. Students will create a PowerPoint presentation to share information about these relationships. The students will also participate in an online predator prey simulation lab that will allow them to explore the impact of carrying capacity and population size of predator and prey on a healthy ecosystem. The culminating project is a skit or animation of at least three species that are part of interconnected symbiotic relationships.
Teacher Introduction
The purpose for this WebQuest was to engage students in a case study on symbiotic relationships. I teach in an urban high school with a predominantly at risk student population. Traditionally, my students have struggled most with identifying and understanding the complexity of interdependence and symbiosis in our ecology unit. I created this WebQuest to create a scaffolded learning experience that revolves around symbiotic relationships. The first task is intended as an introduction and helps students understand symbiotic relationships from a specific species standpoint. The emphasis is on the relationships of that species with others. The second task is to participate in a predator/prey simulation lab, which provides a demonstration of the effects of competition and carrying capacity on an ecosystem. The culminating task is a student led project to research various organisms within natural relationships and create a skit or animation that represents the complexities of the interdependence of the relationships.