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When Wilma Met Fred

A Human Evolution Case

By Bruno Borsari

When Wilma Met Fred


 

Abstract

This "clicker case" follows a professor and his students in a study abroad course in Tanzania who are searching for human fossils in an effort to better understand where humans come from. The case story, presented as a PowerPoint presentation, is complemented by a classroom game that mimics modern TV shows where people look for an ideal "soul mate." Students are challenged to identify in the audience mates of the same species through clues disclosed by the instructor. The case and game facilitate learning about human evolution and the physical/cultural characteristics of a few, selected species of early hominins. Developed for a non-majors' introductory biology course, the case is also suitable for courses in evolution, natural history, biological anthropology, and general biology for majors with modifications. Although designed as a clicker case using PowerPoint slides (1.3 MB) with embedded questions that students answer in class, the case can be adapted for use without these technologies.

   

Date Posted

01/25/2011

Overview

Objectives

  • Understand the environment - both physical and social - in which early humans and their recent ancestors evolved and how this has led to what we think of as uniquely human characteristics.
  • Learn the physical and cultural differences among early hominins of the genus Homo.

Keywords

Human evolution; hominin; Homo erectus; Homo habilis; Homo neanderthalensis; Neanderthal; Neandertal; Homo sapiens; Pleistocene; Tanzania

  

Subject Headings

Anthropology
Biology (General)
Evolutionary Biology

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

High school, Undergraduate lower division

  

FORMAT

PDF, PowerPoint

   

TOPICAL AREAS

N/A

   

LANGUAGE

English

   

TYPE/METHODS

Clicker, Interrupted, Role-Play

 

 

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