300527 UE+EX Didactics in field biology (2014S)

The study of biology in the natural environment provides the opportunity to have 'hands on' experiences outside the classroom. This course treats with the many different challenges of outdoor teaching and provides students with the skills and confidence to practise outdoor biology. Prepared in scientific, technical, and methodical issues, students plan outdoor stations in different topics and test their efficiacy during monitored lessons. Our crucial goal is to teach students how to teach independent and active practical fieldwork biology to their future pupils. Contents and flow of the courses: a) Find connecting factors: compiling relevant questions and teaching methods for different organismic groups and biological/ ecological topics. b) Planning/Organisation: lessons to be planned flexible and adequate to the pupils' age. c) Searching/watching/collecting: development of taxon- and behaviour-specific search and collecting methods, and of methodical guidance for the pupils' independent 'hands on' approach. d) Documentation: protocol and methods of fieldwork lesson documentation (audiovisual media). e) Summarizing and presentation: demonstrations, exhibitions, "didactic pathways", role games.
f) Reflecting/evaluation/feedback: common analysis of the biological and methodical experiences.