Interactive Review Exercises for Online Native Plant Identification and Use

A traditional Florida Native Landscaping Course (ORH3815/5815C) taught onsite in Fort Pierce, Florida was partially converted for web-based delivery.  To support this transition, three interactive instruments were developed for students to (1) test their plant identification knowledge, (2) associate landscape performance with native ecosystem characteristics, and (3) practice leaf terminology with specific plant examples.   In addition, guest web-lectures were developed and produced by several invited speakers using an Accordent Capture Station. The course website was completely redesigned to showcase these new learning tools, facilitate navigation, and improve overall appearance and use.  The plant identification tool was developed using Microsoft Excel 2007 to test students’ ability to write out the scientific and common names of plants taught in class using formulas consisting of logic statements.  The ecosystem tool utilized photos from each of Florida’s major ecosystems in conjunction with sets of multi-choice questions. The leaf terminology tool utilized a drag-and-drop interface where students were asked to associate a list of terms with a series of leaf photos that best illustrate those terms. All three tools aid with studying by providing students with immediate feedback. The mean quiz scores of students have improved once they began using the online review identification tool.  The new website has a cleaner, fresh look, is editable by non-coders, and easy to navigate.  The Accordent guest lectures allow students to identify with native plant experts and learn new concepts from different perspectives. These interactive learning tools will not only benefit students enrolled in this specific course, but can be adapted to a variety of courses within and outside of the University of Florida.