Identification of Ants : Development of the Learner-Oriented Digital Tool ID-Logics

authored by: Jorge Groß, Joachim Langstein, Jürgen Paul, Eva Ritter
Abstract: Ants are fascinating creatures and they have an enormous impact on most terrestrial ecosystems. Despite their importance, relatively few people are able to securely identify the various ant species. In addition, simultaneously to the worldwide extinction of species (especially of insects), the number of species experts is decreasing, not only in Germany. The aim of our project is to improve the possibilities of determination of species and get students back in touch with nature. Based on experiential realism, the learner-orientated and interactive species identification tool “ID-Logics” for ants was developed. Using the design-based-research approach and the model of educational reconstruction, students’ conceptions were collected in an interview study (n=7). According to the interview analyses, three essential learning barriers were identified. To overcome these learning barriers, data-based solutions were developed. Therefore, digital components were evaluated in three teaching experiments (n=6). On the one hand, the results showed that students were able to describe basic characteristics of ants. On the other hand, learning obstacles occurred with certain characteristics where students needed assistance. For this, interventions such as abstract graphics or short videos can support them in the process of identification. Moreover, a fault tolerant programmatic logic was implemented to combine these components in the identification tool “ID-Logics”. Based on our results, guidelines to develop further interactive identification tools are formulated.
External Organisation(s): University of Bamberg
Type: Article
Journal: World Journal of Chemical Education
Volume: 8
Pages: 21-28
No. of pages: 8
Publication date: 05.03.2020
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Analytical Chemistry, Education, Chemistry (miscellaneous), Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 15 - Life on Land
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.12691/wjce-8-1-3 (Access: Open)