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.

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.

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.

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 January 2010.

Project Links

Project News

January, 2008:

The Bot 2.0 project received notification of official NSF-funding (award #0737466).

Project Team

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

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