Applying semantic web technologies to support learners in plant identification and taxonomy

Abstract

This paper describes a novel application of semantic web technologies to support undergraduate students' learning in Plant Sciences. The pedagogical context focuses upon a field trip, seeking to enhance students' familiarity with plantspecies they will encounter in the field and making links to over-arching concepts in the wider taught course. Semantic web technologies were selected as a potential match to support this learning context because of the well-defined plant taxonomy underpinning plant classification.The paper will conclude with reflections on the affordances, challenges and issues surfaced by this approach and its alignment with pedagogical theories.