On 20 Aug 1996 09:42:45 -0700 Dr. David Starrett wrote:
> From: Dr. David Starrett <dstarret at BIOLOGY.SEMO.EDU>
> Date: 20 Aug 1996 09:42:45 -0700
> Subject: (none)
> To: plant-ed at net.bio.net>> Plant-eders,
>> Next week I will begin teaching an upper level plant anatomy course to
> seniors and masters students here. I have inherited a 30 year old syllabus.
> I will be using it as a guideline. My question... Does anyone have any
> suggestions/tips on teaching the course? My worry is that 16 weeks of
> looking at cross sections will be rather dry. The syllabus basically
> follows the chapter outlines in Fahn's book. I want to spiff this class up
> a bit. Any neat demos, techniques, etc? Any batter way to teach than
> simply regurgitating book material? I am not trained as a plant anatmoist
> though I have had the class (14 years back) and have taught basic anatomy in
> intro botany classes.
> Any thoughts, suggestions, horror stories, etc. appreciated. This is a
> two hr lec, 3 hr lab per week.
> Thanks
>> Dave Starrett
>> *****************************************
> * *
> * Dr. David Starrett *
> * Biology Department, MS 6200 *
> * Southeast Missouri State University *
> * Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 *
> * Ph: (573) 651-2382 *
> * Fax: (573) 651-2223 *
> * email: dstarret at biology.semo.edu *
> * *
> *****************************************
> try collecting a range of fresh material with obvious` ecological` forms - climbers, tank plants,succulents
water plants. Have a go at cutting fresh sections - stain in toluidine blue. Then relate the tissue layout to the
life style - collenchyma distribution - stellate parenchyma etc.. You will have to admit that you don't understand all you see, but that is no bad thing
I find students wake up when they can see a `reason` behind the anatomy and like to be told "we are possibly the first people
ever to look at the anatomy of this plant "
Adrian Bell Bangor U.K.
