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Peer Review

Images of Algae

Reviewed:
Apr 17, 2003 by Biology
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Ratings

Overall Rating: 1.9 stars
Content Quality: 2.1 stars
Effectiveness: 1.5 stars
Ease of Use: 2.0 stars
Overview:
Over 150 images of algae, most of which appear to be diatoms, can be viewed at
this website. Most of the images were provided by the authors. The pictures
are unique, and were obtained from specimens collected from Big Darby Creek,
Bixby State Preserve, and the Procter and Gamble Experimental Stream Facility.
The image archive is accompanied by links to Freshwater Algae, Marine Algae,
Microscopes and Microscopy, and Bowling Green State University. At the time of
this review, some of these links were active, but others did not appear to be
working.
Type of Material:
Collection
Recommended Uses:
This material may be used for independent study of diatoms or displayed in the
classroom for visualization of diatom specimens.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
This website contains images of diatoms which can be used to learn about the
unity and diversity of the specimens collected.
Target Student Population:
Botanists and microbiologists (undergraduate and graduate students) with a
particular interest in diatoms may use this site for teaching and research.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Some basic knowledge of diatoms may help to understand the structures shown.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:

Quality of Content: 3.2, 1.0 = 2.1


  • Microscope images are fairly good quality
  • Moderate collection of diatoms included
  • Appropriate links to individual pictures appear to be accurate
Concerns:
  • Some of the links on the main webpage, as well as those for other pages, are not active. These need to be updated.
  • It might help to add links to websites containing images of algae other than diatoms.
  • It may help to provide more detail with each of the images so that, a label and description of each specimen are included when images are displayed.
  • The descriptions of outside links were too brief and it was difficult to judge the relevance of some of these links.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:

Potential Effectiveness: 2.0, 1.0 = 1.5


  • Builds knowledge
  • Assignments can be developed to accompany the website
Concerns:
  • The images provided are accurate and interesting, but limited to diatoms.
  • Some of the images are a little out of focus, but most are pretty good. It may help to replace poor quality images with better pictures.
  • Use of this site to study diatoms may prove useful, but other reliable links should be added for other aquatic organisms.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:

Potential Effectiveness: 2.9, 1.0 = 2.0


  • Easy to navigate
  • Appropriately searchable
  • Fast
Concerns:
  • Although it was easy to view images that are included from collection trips,
    some of the links to other sites were not active. These should be checked.
Other Issues and Comments:
This is a good beginning for a website showing algae from different collection
trips. It is well-organized, but limited to diatoms. It might help to revise
this website and include reliable, active links to other algae collections to
make the information complete. The authors might also consider including labels and descriptions of specimens for display of individual images.
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