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Promoting Active Learning in Developmental Biology Using the Japanese Medaka ( Oryzias latipes ) as an Experimental Model
Author(s) -
HENSON VICTORIA,
SCRIBAILO ROBIN
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1993.tb19785.x
Subject(s) - oryzias , biology , presentation (obstetrics) , plan (archaeology) , computer science , unit (ring theory) , science education , mathematics education , fish <actinopterygii> , psychology , medicine , fishery , radiology , paleontology
We use the Japanese medaka ( Oryzias latipes ) as an animal model for developmental studies in our introductory biology courses. These courses are designed for Elementary Education majors and students in non‐science degree programs. Introduction to the topic involves observation of live medaka embryos at various stages of development. These observations are guided by video clips and still photographs, which have been incorporated into an interactive computer presentation. In subsequent labs, students perform experiments that, they have designed, which utilize medaka embryos. Most choose to test the effect of various environmental treatments on normal development. We plan to end this unit with a “medaka symposium' in which the students will present data from their own experiments in posters or talks. We hope to reinforce students’ confidence in their ability to perform and understand scientific investigation. Students have been very favorable in their evaluation of the medaka unit as a learning tool.