So this is an idea that I've had for a while, and I have some bandwidth for it now. I want to make a purely online (free for all users) conservation technology textbook (potentially with a hardcover copy for those that are interested, but all proceeds would go to non-profits) that is an intro to the field for engineers, biologists, computer scientists, and all who are interested in building a curriculum forward. I've been working on teaching an undergraduate course and have some good learning objectives/etc., but I think this is the first step towards undergraduate Tech4Wildlife courses being taught. This would likely be a commitment of a few hours a week for the next year with a delegation of specific chapters to experts in the field, with authorship given to all who could help. Who would be interested in something like this?
22 November 2022 10:58am
Hi Andrew, I think this is a great initiative, and I'd be happy to support it. I'm an EdTech expert rather than conservation tech, although I do teach coding/camera-trapping basics etc. What I could do is act as a sounding board and offer ideas on how to make the online resources interactive, choose EdTech tools that best support what you're trying to achieve, running it as a MOOC, open licencing of learning materials, and/or supporting sociable and peer-learning.
I'm self-employed so wouldn't be able to commit as much as several hours/week, but I could be involved at that level at particular stages, commit several hours/month, or be a resource person that you call on when needed.
5 December 2022 3:00pm
Hi Andrew,
Great idea. It would be cool if the text uses multiple types of media. There is a new recent example of an online text for Google Earth Engine: Cloud-Based Remote Sensing with Google Earth Engine: Fundamentals and Applications that is very nicely done with links to code, exercises, and written by multiple authors that could partially serve as guidance for your text.
Best,
Vance
16 January 2023 2:51pm
This would be awesome Andrew! Happy to help with some organization of this/identifying potential chapter authors.
I'm sure you know about this already, but there is also this book from Wich & Piel: https://www.amazon.com/Conservation-Technology-Serge-Wich/dp/0198850255
Lucy Tallents
VerdantLearn