A Scaffolded Approach to Integrating Primary Literature into A Biology Laboratory

 

Janice M. Bonner

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2016, Volume 37

Abstract

This workshop suggests a scaffolded introduction of students to biological literature. Students are presented with deep-lobed and shallow-lobed leaves (Quercus alba) and led to design methods to quantify depth of lobing and determine stomatal density. After students learn that the leaves were obtained from the top and bottom of the same tree, they are asked where each type (deep-lobed/more stomata; shallow-lobed/ fewer stomata) would be located. Finally, students read a journal article in which stomatal density of fossil oak leaves is used to predict paleoatmospheric CO₂ concentrations. Students’ familiarity with laboratory procedures facilitates their understanding of the article.

Keywords:  scaffolding, primary literature, stomatal density

Boston University (2015)