Abstract Detail



The Science of Meaningful Undergraduate Research Experiences

Merced, Amelia [1].

Get off your phone and pick up the tablet: using Survey123 for ArcGIS to collect ecological data.

Technological gadgets are common in our everyday life and undergraduate students feel comfortable using them. We recently incorporated the use of a tablet with the Survey123 for ArcGIS software to collect data in our ecological projects with bryophytes at the Luquillo Experimental Forest, in Puerto Rico. Survey123 is data-gathering application that allows users to create, share and analyze surveys. The projects I will discuss were developed with undergraduate students that participated in data collection and analysis using the software. The first project studied the distribution and habitat preferences of two common bryophytes at El Verde Field Station, Thuidium and Plagiochila. The second project investigated the distribution and conservation status of Sphagnum in Puerto Rico. The use of the Survey123 helped us to visualize the data collected, to found inconsistencies in the data, and was a catalyst for discussions to improve our process. Combined with inquiry techniques, this electronic survey can be used to engage students beyond data collection and help them visualize the scientific process behind it. I will discuss the advantages and limitations of using this technology in our ecological work and how I was able to integrate it with the scientific process to make students active learners in the process.


1 - International Institute of Tropical Forestry USDA-FS, Jardin Botanico Sur, 1201 Calle Ceiba, San Juan, PR, 00926

Keywords:
bryophytes
Ecology
rainforest
technology
Undergraduate research
Puerto Rico.

Presentation Type: Colloquium Presentations
Session: COL10, The Science of Meaningful Undergraduate Research Experiences
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Friday, July 31st, 2020
Time: 1:30 PM
Number: COL10005
Abstract ID:761
Candidate for Awards:None


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