This Week

Start with Weekly Quiz 2a.

Hey all! This week, we will be working in groups. I know this can be challenging given our varying distance and time commitments, but let’s give it a try!

I would suggest that at the beginning of the week you identify what each group member will do, and identify a means you will use to communicate.

Midweek  you should all have read and discussed the paper with other members of your group (or at least clarified questions or points of interest through something like a discussion board). You should have a plan of how you will work together to identify the questions, shoot, and post a video as its own thread through the Discussion Board Dinosaur Metabolism.

By the video due date you need to shoot and post the video on behalf of your group. At the beginning of next week you will all individually view and comment on each group’s videos.

Group-work participation will be assessed through viewing your discussion boards and information exchange and (possibly) an anonymous survey of your group members.

On your own (each person) should view the videos between during the time window specified by your professor, comment on 2 videos and get to know each other.

What is Metabolism?

Let’s put this argument to the test this week! When I (Dr. Burkett) was a kid, dinosaurs did not have feathers. It was also certain if they were warm-blooded or cold-blooded. We now have a bit more evidence to go off of, so let’s heat things up (or cool them down . . . depending on which side of the argument you are on).

So, you can find the Notes with Gaps for this week and Power Point here. What are some ways that animals fuel their bodies? Watch the videos below on how reptiles and birds regulate their body temperatures. Let’s find out!

How to Read a Scientific Article

To dive into the dinosaur literature in the most efficient way possible we will be splitting up into groups, reading a scientific paper, and reporting our findings. Before we get that far, let’s review how to interpret a scientific article. Check out the video below:

Group Readings

To find your group assignment go to People>Groups>Dinosaur Metabolism. Once you have done that you can communicate with your group on your personal group page by clicking on the appropriate link below. You can post to the message board to communicate who reports on each question. Then post your video of your reading findings to [LINK Discussion Board Dinosaur Metabolism] and comment on 2 other groups’ video. Each group only needs one video but you can post in parts if needed, just make sure the labeling is clear (include part 1 of 2, or whatever, in the video title).

1. Sauropod Gigantism [LINK to group]
2. T-rex Skull Morphology [LINK to group]
3. Evidence for Mesothermy [LINK to group]
4. Shortfalls of Mesothermy [LINK to group]
5. Biomechanics [LINK to group]

After your group has met or exchanged information, create a  video sharing your findings. Once everyone has posted, review the videos and comment on at least 2 videos (with a response video). You will be graded on your group participation and your reading findings.

Review All Groups on Discussion Board

Make sure you have gone to the discussion board and commented on at least 2 videos. What is your conclusion about how dinosaurs regulated their body temperature? Complete your assessment on the survey here:

After you are done, complete both parts of Weekly Quiz 2b.

Wrap up!

Look Here!

Complete

1. Weekly Quiz 2a
2. Reading Activity
   • Post video of your reading findings
   • Reply to 2 posted videos and complete Dinosaur Metabolism survey
3. Weekly Quiz 2b parts 1 and 2