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Outdoor, hands-on and experiential learning, as opposed to instruction-based learning in classroom, increases student satisfaction and motivation leading to a deeper understanding of the subject. However, the use of outdoor exercises in undergraduate biology courses is declining due to a variety of constraints. Thus, the goal of this paper is to describe a convenient, no-cost and flexible exercise using an on-campus botanical tour for strengthening specific knowledge areas of major plant groups. Its assessment on conduct and coverage, and student-perceived and actual knowledge gain is also described. Data presented derived from traditional biology undergraduates in sophomore year over nine fall and three spring semesters. Conduct and coverage was assessed using a summative survey including open-ended questions administered to 198 students. A pre- and post-exercise survey addressing 10 knowledge categories was administered to 139 students to evaluate student-perceived knowledge gain. Quiz grades from the on-campus tour exercise were compared with average quiz grades from two in-class plant-related labs of 234 students to assess actual knowledge gain. Each student reporting on the conduct and coverage indicated either one or a combination of outcomes of the exercise as positive engagement, experiential learning, or of interest. Student-perceived improvement was evident in all ten knowledge categories with a greater improvement in categories learned anew during exercise compared to subjects reviewed. Quiz grades from the exercise were >11% greater than quiz grades from the two in-class plant-related labs. Active learning with interest likely contributed to the increased perceived and actual knowledge gains. Suggestions for adoption of the exercise in different settings are presented based on both student comments and instructor’s experience.
Harish H. Ratnayaka. An On-Campus Botanical Tour to Promote Student Satisfaction and Learning in a University Level Biodiversity or General Biology Course. Education Sciences 2017, 7, 18 .
AMA StyleHarish H. Ratnayaka. An On-Campus Botanical Tour to Promote Student Satisfaction and Learning in a University Level Biodiversity or General Biology Course. Education Sciences. 2017; 7 (1):18.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHarish H. Ratnayaka. 2017. "An On-Campus Botanical Tour to Promote Student Satisfaction and Learning in a University Level Biodiversity or General Biology Course." Education Sciences 7, no. 1: 18.
The influence of plant interference and a mild drought on gas exchange and oxidative stress was investigated using potted plants of two cotton species (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Delta Pine 5415, and Gossypium barbadense L. cv. Pima S‐7) and spurred anoda (Anoda cristata L. Schlecht.) of the Malvaceae. Without interference, cotton and spurred anoda had similar net photosynthesis (Pnet) but different pigment profiles. Stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration rate (E) were greater in spurred anoda than cotton. Net photosynthesis and biomass in cotton were reduced more by spurred anoda interference than by intraspecific interference. With interference, the xanthophyll cycle conversion state and α‐tocopherol levels increased in cotton, but remained unchanged in spurred anoda. Catalase, ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities were not influenced by plant interference. Without interference, spurred anoda had lower APX, and similar catalase and GR activities compared with cotton. Mild drought increased APX activity more than 40% in cotton, and 26% in spurred anoda. Upon drought recovery, drought‐induced APX activity was still higher in cotton, and GR activity was higher in previously drought‐stressed cotton and spurred anoda plants compared with well‐watered plants. The greater impact of spurred anoda interference than intraspecific interference on cotton biomass is due mainly to reduced carbon gain in cotton.
H. Harish Ratnayaka; William T. Molin; Tracy M. Sterling. Physiological and antioxidant responses of cotton and spurred anoda under interference and mild drought. Journal Of Experimental Botany 2003, 54, 2293 -2305.
AMA StyleH. Harish Ratnayaka, William T. Molin, Tracy M. Sterling. Physiological and antioxidant responses of cotton and spurred anoda under interference and mild drought. Journal Of Experimental Botany. 2003; 54 (391):2293-2305.
Chicago/Turabian StyleH. Harish Ratnayaka; William T. Molin; Tracy M. Sterling. 2003. "Physiological and antioxidant responses of cotton and spurred anoda under interference and mild drought." Journal Of Experimental Botany 54, no. 391: 2293-2305.