Bot 2.0: Botany through Web 2.0, the Memex and Social Learning

Project Information

The NSF-funded Bot 2.0 project is an innovative technological approach to retaining student interest in the biological and botanical sciences and addresses the lack of diversity in the student population pursing the botanical sciences. The project involves introducing students from area universities and community colleges to a three-phase curriculum involving reading and field exercises that incorporate inquiry-based learning, communal learning, and reflection.

Students present during an introductory activity at BotCamp 2008 at UNC Chapel Hill.

The curriculum utilizes a memex, an open source innovative memory framework allowing students to link and share digital information. The memex is supported by social software, also known as Web 2.0 technologies (e.g., blogs, wikis, instant messaging) and provides a powerful means for augmenting student memory, aiding retention, and facilitating student engagement.

BotCamp participant uses a cameraphone to capture plant images during a visit to Mason Farm Biological Reserve.

The Bot 2.0 Memex technology architecture is open and flexible, including cell phones and free open-source desktop search tools, which makes it available for duplication in other institutional settings and disciplines.

BotCamp 2009 participants and team members.

The Bot 2.0 project goals are to:

  • use social software to connect students to the natural world and botanical science
  • study how students organize information
  • examine the role and potential use of the memex framework to facilitate learning of STEM topics
  • to recruit students from diverse and underrepresented populations to the field of botany

The Bot 2.0 project began in February 2008 and will continue until April 2010.

Project News

Project Team

Jane Greenberg, Associate Professor (PI)
janeg [AT] ils [DOT] unc [DOT] edu

Alan Weakley, UNC Herbarium Curator (co-PI)
weakley [AT] email [DOT] unc [DOT] edu

Evelyn Daniel, Professor (project principal)
daniel [AT] ils [DOT] unc [DOT] edu

Jacob Kramer-Duffield, Ph.D. student (research assistant)
jkd [AT] email [DOT] unc [DOT] edu

Johnny Randall, NCBG Assistant Director for Conservation (project principal)
jrandall [AT] email [DOT] unc [DOT] edu

Michael Shoffner, RENCI Systems Specialist (project principal)
michael_shoffner [AT] unc [DOT] edu

Stephen Seiberling, UNC Herbarium Technician (project principal)
sseiber [AT] email [DOT] unc [DOT] edu

Hill Taylor, MSIS student(research assistant)
hilltaylor [AT] unc [DOT] edu

Hollie White,Ph.D. student (research assistant)
hcwhite1 [AT] email [DOT] unc [DOT] edu

David Woodbury, MSIS student (research assistant and project manager)
dnw [AT] email [DOT] unc [DOT] edu