Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Availability

Open Access Thesis

Keywords

Meiosis--Study and teaching;

Abstract

It is well documented that to successfully learn genetics an understanding of meiosis is often thought necessary, and to effectively learn meiosis, knowledge ofDNA structure is also thought to be necessary. Based on student misconception research, recommendations for teaching meiosis suggests several modifications of the teaching approach. This study investigated whether the concept of meiosis could be learned successfully by the use of a modified teaching approach based specifically on research recommendations. Modifications included (a) using student generated diagrams, (b) reducing the amount of vocabulary, ( c) clarifying and differentiating the terms used, ( d) using the cell cycle to differentiate chromosome replication from chromosomal separation, and ( e) omitting the phase names. If the recommended modifications were successful in achieving a better understanding of meiosis, then students would also have an increased understanding of genetics. The study measured students' (N = 66) knowledge in the areas of meiosis, DNA structure, genetics, and the relationship between meiosis and genetics via a pretest and posttest design using an open ended assessment instrument constructed specifically for this study. Student responses were evaluated and scored using a researcher designed rubric. The use of the modified teaching approach significantly affected the understanding of meiosis, DNA structure, and genetics separately. The attainment of these three concepts separately however, did not result in a greater understanding of the relationship between meiosis and genetics. These findings can be utilized by both secondary and collegiate educators to effectively simplify the content when teaching these subjects.

Year of Submission

1999

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Department of Teaching

First Advisor

Jody Stone

Second Advisor

Cherin Lee

Third Advisor

Daryl Smith

Comments

If you are the rightful copyright holder of this thesis and wish to have it removed from the Open Access Collection, please submit a request to scholarworks@uni.edu and include clear identification of the work, preferably with URL.

Date Original

1999

Object Description

1 PDF file (83 leaves)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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