Question to Answer
Compare and contrast the population dynamics controlling the growth of one other species with that of the growing global human population.
The discussion post is worth 20 points and grading will be based on the level of clarity (an intellectual standard of critical thinking). See grading rubric below.
STEP 1. Review the Critical Thinking Handout
1b_Thinking about Thinking.docPreview the documentView in a new window
CLARITY: Could you elaborate further on that point? Could you express that point in another way? Could you give me an illustration? Could you give me an example? Clarity is the gateway standard. If a statement is unclear, we cannot determine whether it is accurate or relevant. In fact, we cannot tell anything about it because we don’t yet know what it is saying. For example, the question, “What can be done about the education system in America?” is unclear. In order to address the question adequately, we would need to have a clearer understanding of what the person asking the question is considering the “problem” to be. A clearer question might be “What can educators do to ensure that students learn the skills and abilities which help them function successfully on the job and in their daily decision-making?”
STEP 2. Select a species that is affected by human population growth. There are examples in Chapters 3, 8, and 9 that may be helpful.
STEP 3. Write your comparison contrast. “Compare and contrast the population dynamics controlling the growth of one other species with that of the growing global human population.”
STEP 4. Tell another person about the issue AND add a few sentences about that to your essay.
STEP 5. Double-check your essay against the rubric
Provides a clear example of how human population growth affects the population of another species (comparison)5 point
Clarity is strengthened by explaining or illustrating the point in a second way (contrast)5 point
Uses population dynamics (population density, population distribution, sex ratio, age structure, growth rates) to explain changes in the affected population.5 point
Ends with an explanation about what someone else learned about this issue from you.5 point