Peer Review

The Galapagos Collection

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Aug 10, 2008 by Biology

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

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Overview:: The collection of Galápagos materials that includes anatomical specimens, images, and papers at the UW-Madison Zoological Museum (UWZM) is unique and rare. Since 1978, UWZM has been one of only 3 museums granted permission by the Ecuadorian Government to collect, preserve, transport, and maintain scientific anatomical specimens from the Galápagos Islands. The first group of materials to be added to the digital collection includes important texts, both books and journal articles related to the flora and fauna of the Galápagos. Scholars can learn about the giant tortoise, birds, and vegetation of this unique environment, as well as read about early travels to the Galápagos. Soon to be added are stunning photographs of the wildlife and the plants of the Islands, offering researchers a seldom seen view of this important world. Many of these historical documents are not easily available in any other manner. The collection is searchable using a boolean search method with up to three different parameters. The results are viewable in several formats. Each item that is in the results list has further links. Documents may be viewed as scanned or as page texts; images for printing are also provided.
Type of Material:: Collection
Recommended Uses:: Historical research in environmental sciences. Endangered species research including monitoring. Search for graphics to use in reports. This site could be used in many ways. 1. As the basis of a classroom lecture presentation. 2. As an assignment for field collections. 3. As a study tool for students after topic is presented in class.
Technical Requirements:: Use of a current web browser will be required.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: This site was not developed as a teaching tool. However, it is a valuable archive of information that has is now available. Instructors would have to develop there own learning goals to use this site as part of a course. Access to compilation of Galapagos important texts, both books and journal articles related to the flora and fauna of the Galápagos. Learn about the giant tortoise, birds, and vegetation of this unique environment, Read about early travels to the Galápagos.
Target Student Population:: Middle School , High School , College General Ed , College Lower Division , College Upper Division , Graduate School
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: A general knowledge of appropriate terms that could be used to search the database is essential as no index/table of contents provided.

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

The items in this collection are high quality, often primary sources
Broad range and vast amount of materials on the Galapagos
Excellent source of images, historical and some current
Excellent graphics and related articles
Many of these resources are not available elsewhere
The site contains links to other museum collections

Concerns:

Some scanned reports have portions that are incomplete

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

Instructors could easily integrate this site into assignments for classes/lab
Students would have opportunity to become familiar with and use original source documents
These types of materials would require students to evaluate sources rather than simply cut and paste
Material information is very specific from date picture or skeleton is taken to the location

Concerns:

OCR picks up some of the historic forms of words and tries to force them into an English context. (there is a warning), but getting part way through a paper only to find a blot on some of the text makes it difficult to follow content.
As a learning object, the site requires additional guidance to be effectively used by students

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:

Strengths:

The site is searchable; Simple search words give multiple hits
Objects found in search all opened easily

Concerns:

Organization of materials needs to be improved. There is no index that allows user to see an overview of what the site contains
Students would have difficulty locating specific data
One link not valid; frequently asked questions brings you to an email site, not FAQ

Other Issues and Comments:: This site has a great many valuable information sources and is an excellent resource for education. Locating specific information is not always straight forward, even with the built in search engine. Users may need to already know what information they are looking for to be successful. While the index suggests that reprints are available, there is a confusing message that they are not available. Ordering of reprints means mailing in the form as opposed to ordering online.
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