Abstract Detail

Teaching Section

Mallchok, Malia [1], Thomas, Michael [2].

Applications of Mobile Cell Phone and QR Code Technologies for Botanical Education.

An educational self-guided botanical audio tour was developed to evaluate two new technologies: Quick Response (QR) codes and mobile cell phone technology. The tour was implemented in a University of Hawai`iat Manoa campus botanical garden. Fifteen Polynesian introduced plants, commonly referred to as Canoe Plants, were selected for the self-guided audio tour. Introductory botanical, ethnobotanical, taxonomic, and historical narratives were authored for each species. Narratives were recorded and limited to about one minute per plant. Audio recordings were created using Audacity - a free, open-source software and saved as MP3 files. The audio tour was created using commercial audio tour service which provides online content management. The QR code tour utilized two-dimensional barcodes linked to a unique Uniform Resource Locator (URL). QR codes were generated using a free online QR code generator, Kaywa (qrcode.kaywa.com). Content for the QR code tour was hosted on a free online web hosting site (www.weebly.com). Each plant was labeled with its Hawaiian, common, scientific, and family names. In addition, the audio tour phone number, prompt number and a QR code were printed on each label. Thirty students participated in the 20 minute self-guided audio tour and participants completed a 17 question online survey. Results of the survey indicated the students responded positively to both tours and enjoyed using the technologies. A large majority (87%) agreed or strongly agreed that the technologies were easy to use and 86% agreed or strongly agreed that they would be interested in using these technologies again in similar environments. The length of the audio recordings were considered to be 'Just Right' by 87% of participants with 10% reporting that they were too long and 3% stating that they were too short. The project successfully developed a self-guided audio tour which has potential to be incorporated into undergraduate curricula as a laboratory assignment as well as to serve as a methodology to inform visitors about plants in the campus landscape

Broader Impacts:

Related Links:
Introduction to Polynesian Canoe Plants Audio Tour
Guide By Cell
Kaywa
Audacity

1 - University of Hawai`i at Mānoa, Technology & Distance Programs, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
2 - University of Hawai`i at Mānoa, Botany Department, 3190 Maile Way, Room 101, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA

Keywords:
audio tour
field guide
botany
Plants
botanical garden
museum
ethnobotany.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Khorassan Ballroom/Chase Park Plaza
Date: Monday, July 11th, 2011
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PTE010
Abstract ID:752