Ecosystem Exercises for Summer School and Distance Students

 

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2013, Volume 34

Marianne Niedzlek-Feaver & Betty L. Black

Abstract

Students use non-destructive sampling to examine simulated "ponds" that can be maintained easily on desktops for a week. Students are exposed to a variety of algae and invertebrate species, in which, they observe locomotion and feeding. In distance education sections, students go on a virtual tour by opening an interactive forest panorama from the Internet. As they turn 360° within the panorama, hot spots are found which contain video clips of organisms living there. Students construct a productivity pyramid that places each organism at the appropriate trophic level. This exercise can also be used as homework in the campus-based course.

Keywords:  virtual tour of forest, ecosystem exercises, desktop mini ponds, interactive panorama

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (2012)