The OPAL iSpot project aims to engage people with wildlife through digital means like mobile identification keys. It engages both experts and non-experts by allowing community discussion around species identification and recognition of user contributions. Features like reputation systems, badges, and links to other organizations help drive engagement by rewarding participation and connecting online and outdoor experiences. The goal is to determine whether digital tools can effectively engage people with wildlife observation.
10. What creates engagement?
• Community discussion: what the species
is, but also why
• Reputation system
• Interaction with experts
• Recognition of other organisations through
badges and links
• Links online activity with outdoor
experience
11. Identification keys for mobile use
phones with large touch screen phones with small screen and cursor
iSpot’s principal aim is to help people learn about wildlife identification. Knowing a species’ name unlocks access to existing knowledge, and enables one to add to that knowledge.
The public - Need to have at least a casual interest in wildlife? Can use of iSpot can create that interest? Specific targeting at certain groups - ‘hard to reach’ audiences through OPAL and mentors; ‘experts’ who can help provide identifications
iSpot helps people learn about wildlife, using social networking technology to link novices and experts What is there to engage with? Website: encourages biological recording best practice, while keeping it as simple as possible to use A friendly and knowledgeable community of people interested in wildlife: dialogue between novices and experts Apps: provide opportunity to bring more people in, and engage them in more ways, e.g. ‘live’ in the field
Add with or without ID; looks quite complex but many fields are optional – conflict between good practice for bio recording and simplicity of use – approach is to encourage good practice through community example, keeping mandatory fields to a minimum
Shows differing reputation for different taxon groups
Leads to engagement with schemes and societies
One hurdle to engagement is registration, essential for the site to work: Easy to register - Minimal requests for personal data - Safety online, no direct messaging/emailing
Reputation system – incentive to get involved, recognition of expertise, weighting of most likely identifications Observations and identifications structured to encourage information and debate: what the species is, but also why Opportunity for interaction with experts Recognition of other organisations (local and national) through badges and links – further destinations once engagement established Linking online activity with outdoor experience – mentors amplify this effect Apps allow us to take this further
Mobile versions can be used on any phone with web browser Supports both larger screen with touch interface (eg iPhone) – quite easy to use And small screen and cursors (ie any phone with web access) – quite fiddly!
The iSpot app provides the main functionality of the website. Android only at moment, c. 250 downloads of beta version. Upgrade out soon! Opens up possibility of ID in the field. Adds “Around Here” functionality.
Are digital communications an effective way of engaging a wider audience with their local environment and with biological recording? – Yes, but the converse is also true.
