Abstract Detail

Donald J. Pinkava's legacy - the ASU Herbarium in the Sonoran Desert

Ickert-Bond, Stefanie [1], Bouffard, Christen [2].

To go where only Don Pinkava could go -and beyond: delivering an online systematic botany course in Alaska.

One of Don Pinkava’s greatest legacies was as an educator. His dedication to both graduate and undergraduate students seemed to know no boundaries. His teaching was rigorous, detailed and challenging and provided us with the basis for the next generation of online teaching approaches. Having been classically trained at The Ohio State University, Don combined the best traditions of T. Richard Fisher, Emanuel Rudolph and Bernard S. Meyer, and Richard Popham in his teaching. Taking his "Flora of Arizona", "Angiosperm Taxonomy" and "Cytogenetics" courses at Arizona State University was foundational for my current understanding of systematic botany. Because Alaska is relatively isolated from the rest of the United States, due to its distance, size and widespread population, online course delivery is a valuable alternative to on-campus enrollment for many of the rural students in our state. "Intro to Alaska’s Flora" is being offered as a fully online four-week course, and, with the help of technology, students use their own communities as their lab space. One of the hallmarks of systematic botany course is the hands-on learning experience in lab. To create a similar lab experience for the online offering, we have carefully chosen technology that will allow students from all over the state (and even outside Alaska) to collect data, perform plant dissections and have a hands-on learning experience within the flora’s native environment. Instead of traditional course materials like textbooks, students will purchase an inexpensive wide-angle macro lens that connects to their smartphone or tablet. This 2-inch lens lets students take high-resolution, detailed photos of flora on the go. The technology not only lets students mimic lab spaces in their own areas but also expands their digital networks through the submission of images to iNaturalist, enabling them to share and collaborate with enthusiasts around the world. Students don’t just sit at their computers in this class. They must get outside, touch with their hands and share what they discover. This course is an exciting intersection of curiosity for wild plants, an exploration of Alaska’s plant communities and an accessible introduction to the science of botany. I teach it as my own extension of Don Pinkava's legacy as an intrepid botanist and inspiring educator.

Related Links:
BIOL195 - Intro to Alaska Flora
Ickert-Bond Lab

1 - University Of Alaska Fairbanks, Herbarium (ALA) And Dept. Of Biology And Wildlife, University Of Alaska Fairbanks, 1962 Yukon Dr., Fairbanks, AK, 99775, United States
2 - University of Alaska Fairbanks, eCampus, , Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA

Keywords:
Flora of Alaska
Online systematic botany course
Learning glass videos
iNaturalist
Virtual biomes.

Presentation Type: Colloquium Presentations
Session: CO10, Donald J. Pinkava’s legacy - the ASU Herbarium in the Sonoran Desert
Location: San Pedro 2/Starr Pass
Date: Wednesday, July 31st, 2019
Time: 10:30 AM
Number: CO10009
Abstract ID:229
Candidate for Awards:None