Week 7: Joining an online citizen science community

Introduction

This week of the course focuses on how you can learn more about the wildlife and habitats around you; build your species identification skills while joining an online citizen science community; and participating through iSpotnature.org. It outlines five ways to participe and learning about biodiversity through using iSpot: explore, identify, contribute, personalise and recognition.  This week of the course takes you step-by-step through the process of joining an online citizen science community and using iSpot: browsing, registering, adding an observation, including a species name to an identification, using the iSpot Species Browser and iSpot keys, understanding taxonomic hierarchy, as well as personalising and customising your iSpot experience.

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Show transcript

By the end of this week, you should be able to:

• understand the process of how to use iSpot to make observations, post comments, develop projects and customise it with filters
• recognise the value of rewards for species identification via iSpot’s Reputation system
• use a citizen science platform that recognises and values learning, e.g. iSpot quizzes
• understand what it means to be part of an active citizen science community.