Course Concept Redesign - Coursework Example

Concept Redesign The redesign will provide new with a sufficient foundation for taking other advanced biology courses, as well as related studies. The redesign aims at improving learning using technology including creation of YouTube video and blending it with theory-based learning. The chosen concepts for the redesign are greenhouse effects and climate change. Uploading of high-quality video that present a theory-based lesson on greenhouse effects on YouTube is the first step in the design. New students can then watch and download the material, which boost their conceptual understanding of the greenhouse effects.

In addition, the new student can present their views by commenting on the video and get feedbacks from their fellow students. Essay The search strategy used article databases in identifying the three sources on the concept of the greenhouse effect and climate change. In the first source, Reinfried and colleagues argue that it is difficult changing student’s everyday ideas of the greenhouse effect. The challenge that environmental education face is creating of instructional setting aimed to foster student’s conceptual understanding of the concept of the greenhouse effect.

In facilitating students conceptual development regarding the greenhouse effect, it is critical to design learning materials that promote active cognitive learning and focused on achieving deep understanding of the concept. Reinfried et al., present in the article, a developed learning material based on the theory of understanding and reasoning. They compared the efficacy of the design with standard learning materials by using pre-, post and follow-up test. In examining the student’s understanding and knowledge acquisition over the three measurement test, Reinfried et al.

, used both qualitative and quantitative methods. The study outcome demonstrated that the group instructed according to the design focused on in-depth learning had better knowledge gains and retention compared to the group taught using standard learning materials. The strength of the article, therefore, is that it provides an instructional design that engages learners in high cognitive activities, which enhance deep conceptual understanding of the abstract and complex concept of the greenhouse effect.

However, the article has a weakness in presenting a comparative study conducted for a long a duration of time because conceptual changes require much time to develop. In the second source, Ogden et al., points that the extent of climate change affects human health in a number of ways. Climate change; thus, poses health risks including vector-bone diseases. The article objectively present quantified potential effects that climate change has on the primary reproduction number of tick vector. It further explores on how ticks facilitate the transmission of vector-born diseases.

The study applied the method of observation on the temperature changes and projected the changes using regional climate models. The findings of the study indicate an increasing prevalence of vector-bone disease with increasing changes in temperature, and thus, effects of climate change. The article successfully presented the findings on climate effects on vector-bone diseases in clear and an objective manner. However, the major weakness of the article is that it fails to present information on effects of decreasing temperature on prevalence of vector-bone disease.

Finally, in the third source, Brovkin and colleagues analyze the effects that land-use has on climate in the article. The analysis focuses on diverse differences that exist between land-use and climate fluxes. In assessing the aforementioned changes, Brovkin et al., applied a comparative model of observation as a study method. The findings presented in the article show an increased land-use interferes with the vegetation cover and consequently, lead to fluxes in the atmosphere. Brovkin et al.

, further demonstrate that excessive land use propagate fluxes in atmospheric gasses. The article objectively presented its results, which points its strength. However, it fails to present how other human activities facilitates climate change.Works CitedBrovkin, V., et al. "Effect Of Anthropogenic Land-Use And Land-Cover Changes On Climate And Land Carbon Storage In CMIP5 Projections For The Twenty-First Century." Journal Of Climate 26.18 (2013): 6859-6881. Academic Search Premier. Web. 28 Nov. 2014.Ogden, Nicholas H., et al. "Estimated Effects Of Projected Climate Change On The Basic Reproductive Number Of The Lyme Disease Vector Ixodes Scapularis.

" Environmental Health Perspectives 122.6 (2014): 631-638. Academic Search Premier. Web. 28 Nov. 2014.Reinfried, Sibylle, Urs Aeschbacher, and Benno Rottermann. "Improving Students’ Conceptual Understanding Of The Greenhouse Effect Using Theory-Based Learning Materials That Promote Deep Learning." International Research in Geographical & Environmental Education 21.2 (2012): 155-178. Academic Search Premier. Web. 28 Nov. 2014.