Abstract Detail

Conference Wide

Proctor, Niels [1].

Web-Based Retrieval Practice as a Self-Directed Study Tool for Students in Botany and Plant Taxonomy.

Students who are learning to identify plants to family or species need a way to practice those identification skills. Self-testing with collected plants carries the risk of learning the features of a particular specimen, rather than the diversity of the broader group. Self-testing with unknown plants in a natural area provides no feedback and carries the risk of learning a misidentification. But widespread access to the internet and to high-quality digital cameras has now made it possible for instructors to provide a web-based study tool where students can practice their identification skills. This workshop will look at web-based retrieval practice sites that have been used in undergraduate plant identification courses at the University of California at Davis and at the University of Florida. We will look at student usage of those sites and talk about how interface design decisions affect usage patterns. We will also go over the steps involved in taking the necessary plant photos and building a new site for a paricular course. Participants will have the chance to try using a botanical retrieval practice site and will receive a copy of the HTML/javascript files for setting up their own sites.

1 - University of Florida, School of Forest Resources & Conservation, PO Box 110410, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

Keywords:
Botany
Species Identification
Family Recognition
Retrieval Practice.

Presentation Type: Workshop
Session: WS06, Web-Based Retrieval Practice as a Self-Directed Study Tool for Students in Botany and Plant Taxonomy.
Location: 103/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Sunday, July 31st, 2016
Time: 8:00 AM
Number: WS06001
Abstract ID:20
Candidate for Awards:None