Animal Diversity Web (ADW)
is an online database of animal natural history, distribution, classification, and
conservation biology at the
University of Michigan
Animal Diversity Web has
-
Thousands of
species accounts
about individual animal species. These may include text, pictures of living animals,
photographs and movies of specimens, and/or recordings of sounds. Students write the
text of these accounts and we cannot guarantee their accuracy.
-
Descriptions of taxa above the species level, especially
phyla
,
classes
,
orders
and
families
. Hundreds of hyperlinked pages and images illustrate the traits and general biology
of these groups. Professional biologists prepare these pieces, for the most part.
Animal Diversity Web Is
An Online Encyclopedia.
ADW is a large
searchable
encyclopedia of the natural history of animals. Every day, thousands of classroom
students and informal visitors use it to answer animal questions. Other sites specialize
in local, endangered, or particular kinds of animals. We aim to be as comprehensive
as possible.
A Science Learning Tool.
ADW facilitates
inquiry-driven learning
, that is, teaching about science by leading students to use the methods of science.
Our large database is structured, providing consistent information for all species
to foster comparisons. Our
query tool
allows a user to find information on a set of species that you specify. Students
can explore patterns and relationships, learn how to frame and answer scientific questions
and, with the help of a good teacher, experience the excitement and satisfaction of
doing science. Our long-term goal is to create a database rich enough that students
can discover for themselves basic concepts in organismal and conservation biology.
A Virtual Museum
ADW provides a way to make the contents of research museums available globally for
teaching and research. So far, our efforts have been directed mainly at mammals. Photographs
of
scientific specimens
are available for representative species from most mammal families. We've also included
several hundred
Quick Time Virtual Reality Movies
of skulls. These allow the user to "rotate" the specimen, providing an excellent
impression of its 3-dimensional structure. We've written in depth about and illustrated
many of the characteristics of interest to students of
mammals
. An important goal for the future is to expand to cover other groups of animals and
include other media such as animal behavior video.
Contribute to Animal Diversity Web!
An essential feature of the ADW is student authorship of species accounts. Students
learn considerable detail about the biology of a species, then share their work with
users worldwide by making it part of our permanent database. Our web-based template
ensures a consistent format for accounts. Help pages suggest content and sources.
The system checks that no one else is writing about the student's chosen species,
checks spelling of scientific names, and fills in the scientific classification. Instructors
and
ADW staff
review and edit accounts before they are added to the site. Classes at dozens of
universities and colleges contribute to the ADW project. The resulting growth of the
database makes us even better for inquiry learning.
If you might be interested in having your students write accounts, please go to
Teaching Resources
and fill out the
request to contribute
. We also welcome
comments
,
corrections
, and
questions
.
Animal Diversity Web (ADW)
is an online database of animal natural history, distribution, classification, and
conservation biology at the
University of Michigan
Animal Diversity Web has
-
Thousands of
species accounts
about individual animal species. These may include text, pictures of living animals,
photographs and movies of specimens, and/or recordings of sounds. Students write the
text of these accounts and we cannot guarantee their accuracy.
-
Descriptions of taxa above the species level, especially
phyla
,
classes
,
orders
and
families
. Hundreds of hyperlinked pages and images illustrate the traits and general biology
of these groups. Professional biologists prepare these pieces, for the most part.
Animal Diversity Web Is
An Online Encyclopedia.
ADW is a large
searchable
encyclopedia of the natural history of animals. Every day, thousands of classroom
students and informal visitors use it to answer animal questions. Other sites specialize
in local, endangered, or particular kinds of animals. We aim to be as comprehensive
as possible.
A Science Learning Tool.
ADW facilitates
inquiry-driven learning
, that is, teaching about science by leading students to use the methods of science.
Our large database is structured, providing consistent information for all species
to foster comparisons. Our
query tool
allows a user to find information on a set of species that you specify. Students
can explore patterns and relationships, learn how to frame and answer scientific questions
and, with the help of a good teacher, experience the excitement and satisfaction of
doing science. Our long-term goal is to create a database rich enough that students
can discover for themselves basic concepts in organismal and conservation biology.
A Virtual Museum
ADW provides a way to make the contents of research museums available globally for
teaching and research. So far, our efforts have been directed mainly at mammals. Photographs
of
scientific specimens
are available for representative species from most mammal families. We've also included
several hundred
Quick Time Virtual Reality Movies
of skulls. These allow the user to "rotate" the specimen, providing an excellent
impression of its 3-dimensional structure. We've written in depth about and illustrated
many of the characteristics of interest to students of
mammals
. An important goal for the future is to expand to cover other groups of animals and
include other media such as animal behavior video.
Contribute to Animal Diversity Web!
An essential feature of the ADW is student authorship of species accounts. Students
learn considerable detail about the biology of a species, then share their work with
users worldwide by making it part of our permanent database. Our web-based template
ensures a consistent format for accounts. Help pages suggest content and sources.
The system checks that no one else is writing about the student's chosen species,
checks spelling of scientific names, and fills in the scientific classification. Instructors
and
ADW staff
review and edit accounts before they are added to the site. Classes at dozens of
universities and colleges contribute to the ADW project. The resulting growth of the
database makes us even better for inquiry learning.
If you might be interested in having your students write accounts, please go to
Teaching Resources
and fill out the
request to contribute
. We also welcome
comments
,
corrections
, and
questions
.