Understanding and Teaching Evolution

Offered By: University of Bath via FutureLearn

Course Description

Overview

Find out how to teach evolution to 7–16 year olds

How does evolution happen? Can we observe it in real time? How do new species come about and how long does this take?

When you think about evolution, you may think of Darwin, but modern genetics has transformed our understanding of how evolution happens. This course uses this new genetics-centred approach to explain key concepts in our scientific understanding of evolution.

The course starts with the genetics of inheritance and variation, how natural selection and adaptation leads to speciation, followed by macroevolution and geological time, ending with human evolution.

The course is aimed at primary and secondary school teachers, students, parents, and anyone interested in understanding evolution.

Syllabus

DNA and Natural Selection

Welcome
Inheritance and variation
Natural selection

Adaptation, Speciation and Macroevolution

Adaptation
Speciation
Macroevolution

Geological time and Human evolution

Geological time
Human evolution
Teacher Resources
Next Steps

Taught by

Laurence Hurst (Educator)