Educational Technology Flashcards

Which open-source GIS software is commonly used in conservation education as a free alternative to ArcGIS?

Answer: QGIS

QGIS (Quantum GIS) is a free, open-source desktop GIS application that supports the same core spatial analysis and mapping functions used in professional conservation planning.

A CORE program uses hydroacoustic fish finders on a lake to estimate fish populations. What educational concept does this technology primarily illustrate?

Answer: Non-invasive aquatic population assessment using sonar

Hydroacoustic (sonar-based) fish finders estimate fish abundance and depth distribution without physically capturing fish, demonstrating non-lethal population assessment methods.

In an outdoor education program, what is the primary purpose of a Learning Management System (LMS) such as Canvas or Moodle?

Answer: To organize and deliver course content, track student progress, and manage assessments online

An LMS centralizes course materials, assignments, grades, and communication in one digital platform, enabling blended and online delivery of conservation education content.

Which data privacy concern must CORE educators address when students submit geotagged wildlife observations through citizen science apps?

Answer: Obscuring location data for rare, sensitive, or threatened species to prevent poaching

Location data for threatened or sensitive species (e.g., rare orchids, eagle nests) is often obscured or withheld on citizen science platforms to prevent poaching or disturbance.

Augmented reality (AR) apps used in CORE education, such as apps that overlay species information when a phone camera is pointed at a plant or animal, primarily enhance learning through which mechanism?

Answer: Providing immediate contextual information layered onto real-world observation

AR apps enhance field learning by overlaying digital information—species names, ecological facts, identification guides—directly onto the student's live camera view of the natural environment.

Which best describes the role of weather forecasting apps and portable weather stations in CORE outdoor recreation programs?

Answer: They support informed decision-making about trip timing, safety margins, and weather-related hazards

Weather technology helps educators and participants make data-informed decisions about when to proceed, delay, or cancel outdoor activities based on accurate, real-time conditions.

When evaluating a new educational technology tool for a CORE program, which criterion should be weighted most heavily for field-based settings?

Answer: Reliability in low-connectivity environments and battery life

Field-based conservation education often occurs in areas with poor or no connectivity, making offline reliability and battery endurance the most critical practical factors for technology adoption.