Lesson Plan - Incorporating Technology

Course Name: Animal Behavior (Bio 450)

Lesson Topic: Investigation of Animal Communication (Student Presentation)
Goal:
This lesson (done over 2-3 weeks) will provide students with the skills necessary to
examine a real-world animal behavior question
Learning Objectives:
1. Students will be able to define signals, cues (and who the signalers and receivers
are) in a given animal interaction.
2. Students will be able to summarize the methodology and results of primary
literature.
3. Students will demonstrate their knowledge of experimental techniques by
comparing and contrasting observational, experimental, and comparative
methods.
4. Students will gain skills in online search for primary literature. Students will gain
skills in Powerpoint design and presentation.
This lesson will provide students with the skills to locate primary literature, summarize
methodology and results, and present research in a group setting. Searching for primary
literature is one of the most important skills a biologist must have, and this lesson will
guide students to the websites and databases that are available online. This lesson will
also give students the chance to explore the different methodologies (and technologies)
that researchers use to study animal behavior (i.e. video recording, video analysis, data
analysis). Finally, students will work to create a presentation, using PowerPoint or
something similar, and present to the class.
All in all, the students will see how technology is used throughout the scientific process
(literature search experimentation analysis presentation of results).
What activities will be required for this lesson?
Students will work in groups of 3-4 over the course of this lesson.
For the first part of the assignment, each individual student will pick an interesting
research paper. Groups will then discuss their chosen topics, and ultimately agree on the
most interesting topic. Following instructor approval, the groups will need to work

together to produce an introductory section providing background information (with

proper primary literature citations).
For the second part of the lesson, groups will produce a summary of the research
question, hypotheses, methodology and results of their chosen paper. Ultimately, each
group will give a 15-20 minute PowerPoint presentation containing background
information on the topic and the methods and results of the research.
Lesson Assessment
Students will be assessed individually and as a group. First, students will receive credit
for finding a primary research article on animal communication. Second, I will assess
their background information and give them edits/suggestions. Finally, I will assess their
presentation for content and clarity.

Item
Lecture on
Communication

Available at:
In class Posted to blackboard
Google Scholar, Web of Science

Literature
Search
Presentation
Template

On blackboard
Students will develop presentations
on PowerPoint or Google
Presentations