Animal Diversity Web

The Animal Diversity Web is an online database of animal natural history, distribution, classification, and conservation biology at the University of Michigan. Students learn considerable detail about the biology of a species, then share their work with users worldwide by making it part of the permanent database. The 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 a number of universities contribute to the ADW project, and the resulting growth of the database makes it even better for inquiry learning. Animal Diversity Web is an on-line encyclopedia, a science learning tool, a virtual museum. An essential feature of the ADW is student authorship of species accounts. Information was obtained from "http://www.animaldiversity.org" and related pages.