Abstract:

In the area of organisms and systems biology, it is largely known the benefit of a complementary good practical teaching, for the real experimentation with the elements of the biodiversity. In addition to laboratory practicum, teachers dealing with biodiversity are aware that a true contact with the biological environment is an essential instrument for learning. In this sense, the growth and extension of remote access tools allows students to have virtually unlimited, easy-to-move amounts of information, that can be used in situ.

In this work we present the design of a virtual tool for the learning of plant and animal diversity in the Campus of Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid. The tool consists of a series of selected trails, which contain floristic and faunistic elements of interest. In a first, pre-test approach, we propose a circular itinerary in the Alfonso XIII Botanical Garden, for self-assisted learning of gymnosperms and birds, as a complementary activity to theoretical and lab classes. The itineraries are presented digitally, by means of a web site created for this purpose (www.ucm.es/lifecampus), in responsive web design (RWD) format, which allows an easy and friendly access through mobile devices. Access to information is simplified by the strategic location of some QR codes at important points along the route, which in addition are used to increase the information data via augmented reality, at various levels of detail depending on the user interests.

A test has also been designed to assess the degree of competence acquisition by the students.

Keywords:

Biodiversity, mobile learning, web-aided trails.