Human evolution and collective learning - Year 10

Activity Introduction

Quick summary: Students investigate the role of collective learning in human evolution. Students begin by responding to a video and then write a short story aimed at demonstrating how collective learning has contributed positively to human achievements and evolution.

Learning goals:

Students understand the role that collective learning has played in human evolution.
Students understand that human evolution isn’t just a measure of advancement in physical traits, but can also be measured by human achievement.

21st century skills:

evolution collection learning skills

Australian Curriculum Mapping

Content description:

Year 10 Science

The theory of evolution by natural selection explains the diversity of living things and is supported by a range of scientific evidence (ACSSU185)

Syllabus Outcomes: SC5-14LW.

General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking, Literacy.

Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.8.

Relevant parts of Year 10 Science achievement standards: Students explain the processes that underpin heredity and evolution.

Topic: Evolution.

Time required: 60 mins +

Level of teacher scaffolding: Low – oversee activity.

Resources required: Where do you come from, Human evolution factsheet, Phylogenetic tree human origins, Internet access, Student Worksheet – one copy per student OR computers/tablets to access the online worksheet.

Digital technology opportunities: Digital sharing capabilities.

Homework and extension opportunities: Includes opportunities for extension. This activity can be completed as homework.

Keywords: Human evolution, history, collective learning.

Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

Teacher Preparation

Overarching learning goal: By participating in this activity students will understand the role that collective learning has played in human evolution. They will understand that human evolution isn't just a measure of advancement in physical traits, but can also be measured by human achievement.

Teacher content information:

Crash Course Big History #6: Human Evolution (https://youtu.be/6PZYYIaB0UY)

Hot tip: Step 1 of this activity can be completed as a Homework Preparation activity if Youtube is blocked at your school.

Teaching sequence

25 minutes - Part A: Responding to the video - Watching and responding to video.
25 minutes - Part B: Creative writing (this activity can be extended over several lessons, or completed as homework).
10 minutes - Part B: Creative writing - Sharing stories and editing.

Work through this resource material in the following sequence:

Part A: Responding to the video

Step 1. Begin by asking students to watch the video above (als

...

- or - to view worksheets

Student Worksheet

Thought starter: Do humans learn more efficiently collectively or individually?

Part A: Responding to the video

Watch this video below and work independently to answer the questions below:

Crash Course Big History #6: Human Evolution (https://youtu.be/6PZYYIaB0UY)

1. Explain why humans have not evolved from chimps:

2. What traits do we share with other primates?

3. What is bipedalism and how did it benefit human evolution?

4. What role do you think encephalisation played in human evolution?

5. In your own words, explain collective learning and why it is important to human evolution:

6. Summarise the Hobbes versus Rousseau debate described in the video, and explain which side you sit on and why:

Part B: Creative writing

Working individually, write a short story explaining how collective learning resulted in human beings becoming more intelligent over our geological history. Your story can be set at any time in history, but should show how collective learning has contrib

...

- or - to view worksheets

Activity: Human evolution and collective learning – Year 10