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2026-2027 / ZENS4316-1

Teaching and learning about the evolution of the Earth and species

Duration

24h Th

Number of credits

 Master of Education, Section 3: Science (HECh)4 crédits 
 Master of Education, Section 3: Science (HELMO)4 crédits 
 Master of Education, Section 3: Science (HERS)4 crédits 
 Master of Education, Section 3: Science (HEL)4 crédits 

Lecturer

Corentin Poffé

Coordinator

Alix Dassargues

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course explores the evolution of the Earth and of species from scientific, epistemological and pedagogical perspectives. It aims to develop an understanding of evolution based on current scientific knowledge, whilst examining how this knowledge has been developed, has been and continues to be debated, has evolved, and is applied in different contexts.

The course also examines students' initial conceptions and the challenges that teaching evolution can present, both in terms of understanding the concepts and in relating them to one another.

The course is structured around three content areas:

Subject-specific content:

  • The Earth's internal structure
  • The Earth's internal activity and its consequences
  • Mass extinctions of species
  • Scientific classification
  • Phylogenetic trees
  • Mechanisms of evolution
  • The concept of a species
Epistemological content:

  • Evolution as a scientific theory
  • History of scientific classifications
  • History and development of evolutionary ideas
 Didactic content:

  • The scientific method
  • Pupils' conceptions
  • Conceptual obstacles

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

By the end of this teaching unit, students will be able to:

  • draw connections between the main geological and biological events;
  • apply the principles of scientific classification;
  • read and construct a phylogenetic tree;
  • explain the main mechanisms of evolution;
  • identify the main misconceptions and difficulties that may hinder the learning of concepts related to evolution;
  • plan a teaching sequence on evolution;
  • design a detailed learning activity enabling pupils to construct or apply scientific knowledge relating to evolution, using an appropriate scientific approach.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Students are expected to be proficient in using the core curriculum for Science.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course is based on an active, blended approach, combining face-to-face activities with distance learning activities. The various activities are designed to complement one another, enabling students to build, apply and deepen their knowledge of evolution, whilst reflecting on their own teaching.

  • Face-to-face activities focus on hands-on work, observation, analysis and discussion
  • Distance learning activities enable students to explore, prepare for, extend or deepen their understanding of the face-to-face activities. These are to be carried out independently or with guidance, online, and may include, for example: reading documents, watching videos, quizzes, reflective activities, serious games, using software and written assignments.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Blended learning


Further information:

The course is organised as a hybrid programme, combining face-to-face teaching with remote learning (primarily via an e-learning module on eCampus).


The various components are designed to complement one another, with each learning activity serving to prepare for, extend or build on the others.

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

Materials specific to face-to-face practical sessions are made available to students during the sessions.

The remaining course materials are provided mainly in digital form, via the online learning module on eCampus.


The book " Quel évolutionniste êtes-vous ? " by Cédric Grimoult is compulsory reading for one of the course sessions. To facilitate access, the book can be borrowed from the Biological Sciences Teaching Support Service, subject to a deposit to be paid during the first session.


Additional resources (e.g. articles from scientific and educational literature), which are not compulsory, may also be made available.

Written work / report

Continuous assessment


Further information:

Assessment consists of two parts:

  • continuous assessment (30%)
  • an individual written assessment (70%).
 

Further information:

January session

Part 1: continuous assessment

The first part of the assessment will be based on continuous assessment, carried out through the online learning programme on eCampus. It will involve various methods, such as homework, written assignments, reflective activities, quizzes and other activities set as part of the course.

 

Part 2: Assignment - report

The second part of the assessment will be based on an individual written assignment.

Instructions for the assignment will be provided during the first session.

 

August-September session

The assessment will be based on an individual written assignment.

The assignment instructions may vary between sessions.

 

Use of artificial intelligence

Students are required to familiarise themselves with the ULiège Charter on the use of generative artificial intelligence in academic work in order to use it in a thoughtful, responsible, critical and transparent manner.

 

https://www.student.uliege.be/cms/c_19230399/fr/faq-student-charte-uliege-d-utilisation-des-intelligences-artificielles-generatives-dans-les-travaux-universitaires

 

If a student uses generative artificial intelligence, they must provide detailed information on their use of GAI in a dedicated section: the tool used, the prompt, the type of assistance requested (rewriting, summarising, analysing, brainstorming, linguistic correction, literature review, etc.), the results obtained, a critical assessment of these results, and the sections of the work concerned.

 

Any omission or concealment of the use of generative AI may be considered a breach of the rules of academic integrity.

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

Attendance at the first session is essential. This will enable you to familiarise yourself with the course structure, the teaching methods, the assignments to be completed and the assessment procedures.

Contacts

Corentin Poffé - Chargé de cours

corentin.poffe@uliege.be

 

Alessia Huby - Assistante

alessia.huby@uliege.be

 

Quartier Agora - Allée du Six Août, 7 - bâtiment B6c

2ème étage, aile nord

4000 Liège (Sart Tilman)

 

Apparitorat ULiège pour tous les étudiants de Hautes Écoles

Alix Dassargues

administration.cefen@uliege.be

 

Bat A1. 0/1 Service administratif du CEFEN

Place du XX août 7,

4000 Liège

 

Association of one or more MOOCs