Stealth Learning: Acquiring Knowledge About Vascular Plant Structure While Using a Vegetative Key

 

Peter Minchin

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2003, Volume 24

Abstract

Many students find it tedious to learn the terminology that is used to describe the vegetative structure of vascular plants. An effective method is to acquire these skills “accidentally”, in the process of identifying unfamiliar plants. This exercise uses a vegetative key to woody plants within walking distance of the lab. Before the lab, plants are labeled with alphabetic tags. Students are given a brief introduction, and then they attempt to identify each labeled plant using the key. If their identification is incorrect, the instructor helps them go back over the key to find the place where they made an error.

Keywords:  taxonomy, plant anatomy, taxonomic key, vegetative structure, vascular plants

Louisiana State University (2002)