Using a Citizen Science Approach in Higher Education: A Case Study Reporting Roadkills in Austria
Involved BOKU Authors: Florian Heigl and Johann G. Zaller Institute: Institute of Zoology Type of Publication: Research Paper Journal: Human Computation Date of Publication: 30th December 2014 Abstract: Many European universities are faced with increasing student numbers along with unchanged numbers of advising lecturers and professors. Thus, a challenge for natural science educators is to teach and transfer knowledge despite weak lecturer-to-student ratios. In search for a solution to this problem, we applied a citizen science crowdsourcing approach in an obligatory course of the Bachelor programme of Environment and Bio-Resources Management at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Austria. The project, called BOKUroadkill, engaged students in reporting roadkilled animals they observed during their daily routine over a period of three months. After three months, 109 students reported 1,236 animals killed on roads, analysed roadkill patterns, and provided feedback on the project. Based on our experience with BOKUroadkill, we conclude that a citizen science approach in higher education is suitable for (1) courses with weak lecturer-to- student ratios, (2) addressing important elements of motivation for learners and (3) familiarizing students with scientific research. You can find the full text here: http://hcjournal.org/ojs/index.php?journal=jhc&page=article&op=view&path[]=10&path[]=37
