Anticipation/Reaction & Cell Discovery

The article used can be found through the link in the following citation: University of Kent. (2018, April 3). Cell discovery could help with research on genetic diseases. ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 4, 2018 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180403111058.htm

All coming from biology and science backgrounds, we looked to find articles directly related to our previous work within the subject and content. We started out by searching some online news sources with stories and articles pertaining to the sciences geared towards students. We figured a recent news article presenting findings on parts of the cell would be more relatable as it features current research taking place at this moment. The article we chose to use was found on Science Daily and titled “Cell discovery could help with research on genetic diseases” and presents findings from a recent university study. To quickly sum up the article, researchers have found a new form of golgi apparatus would could help explain dysfunctions and connections between the malfunctioning of the structure and diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. This text showcased an in depth look at organelles and structures within the cell, which is related to initial standards at the high school level in life sciences (https://www.nextgenscience.org). Furthermore it touches on other concepts and standards involving bacteria, disease, and heredity (https://www.nextgenscience.org). The link to the diseases we figured would create an appreciation within the students as a vast majority of students probably kow someone affected by such diseases.

Reading the article at first, I was quickly intrigued as the author does a good job portraying a breakthrough in research, an always enticing subject. It is evident from the beginning that some background knowledge within the subject is needed to comprehend the findings in the research. A good refresher in to the golgi apparatus, and its role in the cell, does well to provide some background while breaking down the central point of the article. One of the most important pieces I took away when reading the article stated, “the golgi apparatus is central to the modification and transport of proteins to their cellular destination” (University of Kent, 2018).  I could not help but think that this quotation along with the article shows the importance of the factual information from a biology class that many may take for granted.  It goes to show that this information has a bigger importance and will be utilized again if one were to work in a career in the field. The larger theme at hand here relates how the dysfunction of a basic cell structure can have lasting implications that affect ourselves and those around us, signifying the importance in this research.

Analyzing this text from the perspective of a teacher, it is quick to realize the connection between standards and the article. Not only does it hit on basic cell biology, but touches upon separate units such as bacteria and physiology dealing with autoimmune disorders. The text would most definitely be appropriate for a high school level biology class, and could be used after a lesson introducing cell structures and components for example. By placing the article in this sequence, students would initially have the background knowledge pertaining to roles and jobs of parts of the cell to then be able to relate the cause/effect type text frame that is present in the article (Buehl, 2017).  Aside from the cause/effect frame used by the author, the perspective of a possible problem/solution framework is touched upon when the article touches upon how these recent findings could be vital in the work towards treatment for autoimmune disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s (Buehl, 2017). While the article imposes this possible solution it is worth noting this is only one viewpoint and perspective of these researcher’s, which could be taught to students in showing the importance of seeking out multiple perspectives, a method exemplified in reading through a science-backed lens (Buehl, 2017).

The author presents a number of purposes per say with presenting these findings. At one spectrum, the article sets out to propose a solution, inform, and explain the implications of their findings with this altered form of the golgi apparatus. Although they do not state an opposing view, they reflect on their inquiry in a way to persuade others to believe the relevance of their findings while pushing for more research and looking to find alternative explanations. While a scientific background will definitely prove worthy in the article, the use of everyday comparisons does well to paint a picture for those who need further explanation. A number of metaphors such as the resemblance of the golgi to a “stack of pancakes”, or the functioning of it in its close relation to that of a “postal service” are used to allow readers to gain a better sense of what they are taking away from the article. The article does well to place itself in a level that is challenging for high-school level students, just outside their comfort zone, to push them a little while not being too overwhelming (Wessling, n.d.).

In re-reading the text while implementing a comprehension strategy, I was instructed to use an anticipation/reaction guide. This guide would help me as the reader to preview the upcoming text while also monitor thinking while reading (McLaughlin, 2015). The strategy consists of a handful of informational facts in which you have to state agree or disagree next to each one before reading, after you have done so your responses should be discussed to explain your reasoning. After reading the text, you again answer the same prompts and compare to see if any of your thinking has changed and why (McLaughlin, 2015). The statements provided to me by Rechelle, featured background information on the golgi apparatus, bacteria and prokaryotic cells, and autoimmune/genetic disorders. As you can see there are quite a few subjects touched upon within the questions. I have to be honest and admit that a number of the statements definitely stimulated my thinking as it had been some time since I have worked with such information. After reading and going through the statements again there were two statements where my answer had changed. These both dealt with the structure of golgi in cells and their presence in prokaryotic cells. It was easy to understand why my answers had changed due to the fact that the article presented new findings on these facts that previously had never been found before.

For a science/biology class, that is often very factual based, I believe this strategy is useful in developing accurate understandings of knowledge (Buehl, 2017). Not only does it hammer home some of the vital knowledge needed, it challenges students to actively read rather than passively skim through the material (Buehl, 2017). While checking them on their prior knowledge, it does a good job in making them seek out further understanding if they are still unsure of agreeing or disagreeing on a statement. I myself pulled out an old biology textbook to check what the older literature had to say on one of the statements, on top of that I found myself re-reading the passage several times to make sure I completely understood what it was the author was intending to get across. The strategy of anticipation/reaction guides will be one that I will surely use in the future, it is one that all teachers in the science field will find extremely valuable.

References

Buehl, D. (2017) Classroom Strategies for Interactive Learning, 4^th ed. International Reading Association.

McLaughlin, M. (2015). Content Area Reading: Teaching and Learning for College and Career Readiness. Boston: Pearson.

University of Kent. (2018, April 3). Cell discovery could help with research on genetic diseases. ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 4, 2018 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180403111058.htm

Wessling, S. (n.d.) Simplifying Text Complexity [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/simplifying-text-complexity#