During the course we will investigate the lives and works of two of Britain's most eminent scientists and their enormous contribution to our understanding of the natural world. Both men undertook long sea voyages, collecting as they travelled large collection of geological specimens, plants and animals. On returning to Britain they used this material to build a resource that would help them and other scientists in the study of the planets ecology and natural riches. Darwin went on to arrive at a theory of evolution that has changed our thinking of our place in the world. While Joseph Banks became the leading light at Kew Gardens one of the greatest botanical gardens in the world. This course is a fully online with no physical meeting space, accessing the course through Canvas our virtual learning environment and zoom a video conferencing software.
Course aim
This course will be an introductions to the life and works of Charles Darwin and Joseph Banks. These scientists had a very significant impact on the understanding of the the environment.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- This course is for a group of around 15 students studying in a live video-learning platform conference and an online digital learning environment platform from the comfort of your own home.
- No skills or experience needed
- This course is suitable for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Outline the family background and early life of Charles Darwin and Joseph Banks.
- List three significant achievements of these scientists.
- Describe their impact on the impact on the advancement of science.
- List five scientists that worked with both Darwin and Banks
How will I be taught?
- The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- You will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor
What else do I need to know?
- What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- You will also need access to the internet outside of your sessions. You could do this using a smart phone, tablet, laptop or a desktop computer (at home or through a library etc.).
- You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- Nothing else is needed
- It would be helpful if you had access to the internet (Mobile phone, tablet or computer at home or through a library etc.)
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- No pre reading or pre course work is required
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
Download full course information sheet
