Teaching Marine Species Identification Using Web Based Learning

Teaching Marine Species Identification Using Web Based Learning Modules Presented by John Coney University of Hawaii at Manoa Candidate for Masters in Educational Technology April 17, 2012

(Pre-test) Can You Name These Three Species?

Can You Name These Three Species? 1) Stenopus hispidus

Can You Name These Three Species? Lutjanus kasmira 1) Stenopus hispidus 2) Lutjanus kasmira

Can You Name These Three Species? Lutjanus kasmira 1) Stenopus hispidus 2) Lutjanus kasmira 3) Halimeda opuntia

Homework. . . Your homework as we work through this presentation is to imagine: "how could you apply this to other online learning? " Take notes, you will be quizzed!

Teaching Marine Species Identification Using Web Based Learning Modules 1. Why the need 2. Introduction to project 3. History 4. Project Development a. Website b. Flash module c. Assessment 5. Implementation 6. Results 7. Discussion & Conclusion

Why Online Species Modules? • • College students from across the globe interested in surveying coral reefs Over 250 scientific names to identify and spell Required to pass with greater than 80% Needed to support students not in MOP Provide consistency in teaching Support students with varying schedules Make many small manageable modules.

A Little History • • • 3 rd (and last) year as an OTEC student! Over 21 years of QUEST training Spring board for NOAA, DLNR, etc Two week field course, no time to teach ID's Why the need for off campus training?

Introduction to Project • • • 250 species -=> 3 sections -=> 20 sub modules Focus is on correct identification and scientific naming Must be able to quickly and correctly identify species.

Development • • Web site development Flash modules Blog site Laulima (blackboard) testing site

Development • • Web site development Flash modules Blog site Laulima (blackboard) testing site Lets look at the web pages, blog and assessment pages

Assessment of Learning. . . • • • Broken into three modules Each module given one hour to complete Simplifies grading Bad hand writing, a thing of the past Security via proctor password and logins

Implementation • • • Initial meeting - all students Selected 9 students from pool of 20 Pre-survey 1 off island (Kauai CC) 8 undergraduate, 1 postdoc Not all students going to QUEST Weekly emails to students Final test/assessment Post survey

Results - what did we learn? • • Most new to online learning - liked it! A positive experience Students ranked experience 9/10 on average Pre/post test show effectiveness of module

Results - what to improve? • • • Some errors in website Better chunking of some modules Update info, some changes in ID's Would like a random generator of info Add a 50 m transect video to practice ID's

Results - what would I change? • • HTML 5 (greater flexibility than flash) Database driven Game application to randomize flashcards Add video transects to practice - lifelike. . .

Conclusion • • Site can be adapted (bugs, plants, etc) Data showed a positive experience Implement suggested changes Make available for others

Your Turn. . . how could you apply this to other online learning ideas? (Enter your idea in the message area) Otherwise - Any questions? Website: www. uhhmop. hawaii. edu/species_id_training/index. html

Thank You (mahalo nui loa) Website: www. uhhmop. hawaii. edu/species_id_training/index. html Mahalo Nui Loa to my critical friends Mike & Myla and to my family for supporting me in my educational endeavors! Especially COE, UHM for this opportunity!