iPads for Learning

• Science

What you can use it for

The animals found in the south eastern Australian State of Victoria are unique and diverse. Detailed descriptions of animals, maps of distribution, and endangered species status combine with stunning imagery and sounds to provide a valuable reference that can be used in urban, bush and coastal environments. The content has been developed by scientists at Museum Victoria, Australia’s largest public museum organisation.

The app holds descriptions of over 700 species encompassing birds, fishes, frogs, lizards, snakes, mammals, freshwater, terrestrial and marine invertebrates, spiders, and insects including butterflies. From animals found in rockpools, minibeasts in your garden, to wildlife you might see in the bush. Melbourne Museum has included a lot of species in this app, but it’s still a fraction of the complete fauna of Victoria. The museum’s scientists will continue to add additional species and refine descriptions over time.

Ask students to set an area to observe (eg. a rockpool, garden or the bush) and identify the fauna they can see. Ask students to record their observations:

• Are the animals featured in the app?
• Did you find the animal in the same location marked in the app?
• Does the description fit the animal?

Students are learning...

about biodiversity using technology and field study.

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