The iBiome – Wetland app for the iPad is an engaging way for students aged 9–11 to learn about a variety of wetland ecosystems. By drawing connections between different species and creating a web, students learn about producers and consumers, and predator–prey relationships. Students can explore three wetland habitats: freshwater marsh, saltwater marsh, and mangrove swamp. They have tasks in each habitat, or “biodome,” such as identifying consumers, producers, and environmental factors. After students complete a task, a new species is unlocked. The species gets placed in a virtual journal, where students can tap to learn more about all of the species they have unlocked. Students can also experiment with their biodomes by adding species to see how they affect the biome.
Instructional Technology | Innovation Specialist | Retired June 2022