PBLT

problem-based learning & testing

@cjlortie

mimetic solving

versus

mimetic

connection to otherspractical

typically memorynetworked concepts

memoryis nonetheless

practicalapplication

domain-levelknowledge

problem-based learning

longer work cyclechallenge or problem provide context

higher complexityideally: open and collaborative

authenticreal need for a solution

integrationpracticalpractice

leverage training & concepts

student centeredlong-term retention

develops practical skills

testing

key testing design elements

PBLT is open, collaborative, with adequate time providedunique challenges are more successful

use both modalitiesclear instructionsprovide choices

key solution elements from grading ecology PBLT

3D marking key

conceptsvocabulary and keywords

application

show what you knowbe logical

ensure solution directly links to problemexperiments need to be testable and provide evidence for hypothesis

explain implications of solution

solution best practices

specific examples

A case of stability. Four hypotheses have been proposed to explain the relationship between diversity and function. Explain each (4 points).

Each is not however equally likely to apply to every ecosystem or even within a region. Design an experiment that explicitly tests this

hypothesis set (and contrasts them) that you could practically apply to a region like grasslands in Southern Ontario (areas of Downsview Park or YorkU campus for instance) to determine how species richness and ecological function might relate and how we should thus manage the species in the region that we live and study in (6 points: 4 for a solid

design linked to the hypotheses and then 2 points for the management of species).

experiment must test two factorsdriver and passenger and complementarity

experiment must be able to address hypothesis and contrast predictions

full factorial

must test different number of species

logical and viable

A case failure to connect. Ecology and conservation biology seem like very similar disciplines of science. However, in the paper by Srivastava,

numerous limitations in connecting the best possible ecology to conservation are listed. In other words, ecology is failing to be practical!

Not going to happen to us. We know that principled data, useful hypotheses and theories, testable predictions, and framing the scope of

inference more broadly ensure that ecology is practical. Given our focus on this approach, we should also be able to connect ecology to restoration ecology like Srivastava did in her paper for conservation.

Explain the difference between restoration and conservation (2 points). Explain the solutions that Srivastava proposed for ecologists to

consider to better help conservation biologists work with BDEF (2 points). Now, similar to what she did, propose three questions that ecologists could answer for ecologists to consider that will make

restoration more effective in working with biodiversity (6 points: 2 for each question including how each one improves restoration).

restoration must be clearly defined and different from conservation

solutions were extensive but also needed explanation

novel questions must demonstrate critical thinking and be testable by ecologists

A case of different mindsets. Parmesan and Yohe do a fantastic job of explaining and summarizing global change, how to simplify it, and how

different experts might think about global change really differently. Explain the challenge that the IPCC report faced with people and

experts in different disciplines (4). Then, the solution they provided is amazing. It is worth explain it to in your own words for the reader or

anyone (another 4). Then, for the last two points, tell me, did this work for you? Did it convince you that global change is real and if so how could you apply this process to the decisions you have to make in

evaluating evidence for any topic? (final 2 points).

climate change is correlational

knowing varies between disciplines

climate change must be tested in more than one way

must generalize approach to any evidence

different tools for different disciplines