Murray State University
Criterion Development for Delivering Web-based Plant Identification Courses at Murray State University
Institution
Murray State University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Pat Williams
Abstract
Murray State University is developing an on-line delivery for the four plant identification courses offered in the horticulture option program. Reasons for developing this are to provide more efficient use of limited faculty time, to utilize new technologies in the delivering of courses, and to provide an interactive teaching assistance to students outside of class. The American Society for Horticultural Sciences (ASHS) was contacted for a listing of universities in the United States that offered horticulture programs. E-mails were sent to 109 universities and 44 surveys were received for a 40.4% return rate. None of the responding universities were using new technologies in the form proposed by MSU. Of the respondents, 27.3% were interested in a course of this type and thought it was a good idea to pursue whereas 11.4% were not interested in developing a course and 15.9% said a course of this kind would not have applications in their universities. Currently 25% are using computer-aided delivery for their horticulture courses. Macromedia Dreamweaver MX is being used for its versatile and accessible format over current Blackboard PowerPoint options. Key features will include search engines by botanical or common name, tutorials on identifying plant features, plus detailed photographs of the plant in all four seasons with bud, fruit, leaf, bark and flower close-ups. An additional feature will utilize streaming video self-guided campus tours. Murray State University has an optimistic view after corresponding with instructors from around the country that this endeavor will improve the teaching quality for these selected courses.
Criterion Development for Delivering Web-based Plant Identification Courses at Murray State University
Murray State University is developing an on-line delivery for the four plant identification courses offered in the horticulture option program. Reasons for developing this are to provide more efficient use of limited faculty time, to utilize new technologies in the delivering of courses, and to provide an interactive teaching assistance to students outside of class. The American Society for Horticultural Sciences (ASHS) was contacted for a listing of universities in the United States that offered horticulture programs. E-mails were sent to 109 universities and 44 surveys were received for a 40.4% return rate. None of the responding universities were using new technologies in the form proposed by MSU. Of the respondents, 27.3% were interested in a course of this type and thought it was a good idea to pursue whereas 11.4% were not interested in developing a course and 15.9% said a course of this kind would not have applications in their universities. Currently 25% are using computer-aided delivery for their horticulture courses. Macromedia Dreamweaver MX is being used for its versatile and accessible format over current Blackboard PowerPoint options. Key features will include search engines by botanical or common name, tutorials on identifying plant features, plus detailed photographs of the plant in all four seasons with bud, fruit, leaf, bark and flower close-ups. An additional feature will utilize streaming video self-guided campus tours. Murray State University has an optimistic view after corresponding with instructors from around the country that this endeavor will improve the teaching quality for these selected courses.