Development and Evaluation of Computerized Multi-access Taxonomic Keys for Undergraduate Biology Laboratory Instruction

生物科学（61）.这个CCLI教育材料开发概念验证项目支持开发和评估北美东部昆虫的原型电子钥匙。 与使用印刷格式的二分分类键的传统识别方法不同，这个学生友好的基于计算机的工具可以在多个访问点输入，从而鼓励探索并适应入门用户中经常发现的不确定性。 这种电子钥匙的灵活性提高了学生识别昆虫的速度、准确性和信心，这一论断是通过比较学生使用两种方法（多通道钥匙与二分法钥匙）的表现来评估的，涉及从非科学专业到选择昆虫学作为专业的学生的各种课程。 研究结果为教育工作者考虑将生物多样性模块纳入其实验室或实地课程提供了重要信息。 该项目为开发其他分类群的电子钥匙提供了一个模式。 这种易于使用的专业制作的识别工具的互联网可用性应该对教育工作者，推广人员，研究人员和普通公民具有价值，并促进对分类学的更大兴趣，更深入地了解环境和那里发现的生物多样性，并提高科学素养。

Biological Science (61). This CCLI Educational Materials Development proof-of-concept project supports the development and evaluation of a prototype electronic key to the insects of eastern North America. Unlike traditional identification methods that use dichotomous taxonomic keys in print format, this student-friendly computer-based tool can be entered at multiple access points, thereby encouraging exploration and accommodating the uncertainty often found among introductory users. The assertion that the flexibility of this electronic key increases students' speed, accuracy and confidence in identification of insects is evaluated by comparison of the performance of students using the two approaches (the multi-access key versus dichotomous keys), and involves diverse courses with students ranging from non-science majors to those choosing entomology as a specialization. The results provide important information for educators considering the incorporation of biodiversity modules in their laboratory or field course curricula. This project serves as a model for the development of electronic keys for other taxa. The internet availability of this easy-to-use professionally-produced identification tool should be of value to educators, extension agents, researchers and the average citizen, and fosters a greater interest in taxonomy, a more intimate awareness of the environment and the diversity of organisms found there, and an enhancement in scientific literacy.