"Using Mobile Technology to Improve the Capacity of Citizen Science Projects" by Diana Kleine. A presentation given at the APNIC 40 Mobile Technology BoF session on Tue 8 Sep 2015.

1. Using Mobile Technology to Improve
the Capacity of Citizen Science Projects
Diana Kleine, Dr Kyra Hay, Krisantini, Prof. Justin Marshall, CoralWatch, QBI, University of Queensland, Australia

2. Outline
• Citizen Science
• Mobile technology and
Citizen Science projects
• CoralWatch
• Data Entry and Education
APPs development and
outcomes
• How you can support reefs
of Indonesia and the world

3. What is Citizen Science?
The engagement of the
community in science
Goals
• Scientific research
• Education/ Outreach
• Stewardship
Data for science, education and management

4. Citizen Science – Scientific Benefits
• Increases the type and
quantity of data able to be
collected
• Increase the scope of research
questions able to be asked
• Monitoring can occur more
frequently
• Greater awareness of science
can create public support of
conservation policies
Too many reefs worldwide to monitor by scientists

5. Citizen Science – Community Benefits
• Fun way of learning
• Social activity
• Opportunity to learn about
science and nature
• Real opportunity to contribute
to conservation
• Data can be used to lobby for
policy change
• Wide variety of programs to
get involved in

6. Citizen Science – Challenges
• Data can be less
accurate?
• Volunteers can provide
valid data but the
method must be simple
• Online data return =
better quality control

7. Mobile Technology for Citizen Science
Becoming more popular
• Online data and apps can help quality
control
• App removes barrier of requiring
computer and internet access to data
upload
• Facilitates collection of more detailed
data without need of training – gps
• Enhance engagement and participation
• User friendly apps support growth of
data collection

8. Considerations in Developing
Citizen Science Data Apps
• Needs to be simple and user friendly, user ability varies
• Needs to provide feedback to users, e.g graphs with results
• Data sets are often large
• Specific data required depending on study

9. Citizen science - monitoring
of coral bleaching
Education about
reef conservation
CoralWatch Approach
www.coralwatch.org id.coralwatch.org

10. CoralWatch - Colour as indicator of coral health

11. CoralWatch: A tool to measure coral bleaching
Coral Health Chart
• Developed by scientists
in 2002
• Quantifies changes
in colour
• Simple way to measure
bleaching
• Designed for use by
volunteers
citizen science

12. CoralWatch Approach
• Global data base
- 12 years of data from 1941 members
- 70 countries
- 1019 reefs
- 5063 surveys
All data is publicly available
e.g. location, date, surveyor, coral colour,
coral type, depth, temperature, conditions
• Data return can be limited
Before June 2015 – fax, bulk upload
and website only
• App development to make data entry
easier and improve data return

13. CoralWatch Data Entry App
Allows users to:
• Enter CoralWatch Coral Health Chart
survey results
• Record the GPS co-ordinates of survey
automatically or linking to existing survey
locations
• Instantly see data represented graphically
• Online and offline mode allows to store
survey data and upload at a later time
Supported by

14. NEW Data Entry / Memassukan Data Mobile Apps
Making data entry easier!
English
Bahasa

15. Do It Yourself Kit
12 languages
• Available in English, Spanish,
German, Italian, French,
Chinese, Japanese,
Bahasa Indonesia, e.g.
All downloadable from
www.coralwatch.org
+ NEW CoralWatch
Info APP

16. NEW CoralWatch Info / Informasi CoralWatch Mobile Apps
Learn more about Coral bleaching,
Reef monitoring and CoralWatch
English
Bahasa

17. CoralWatch workshops
June 2015 Launch of apps with training seminars
and field workshops, Bali
Workshops well received. Attendance varied between 170 and 4 participants.
Target groups reached; divers and dive industry, university students and tourists.

18. Outcomes of CoralWatch App
• Captures in field excitement
• Removed barrier of limited computer access
• More engagement – increased data return
• More accurate data collection – especially location
• Less staff time needed to check data

19. Mobile Technology helping Coral Reefs
• Easier upload of data will increase
the amount of data from Indonesia
and elsewhere in the future
• Greater awareness within a wider
audience about threats to reefs
• Your technology contributes to
environmental education and
conservation

20. Challenges and future outputs
Promotion / Marketing - Increased exposure across
mobile devices will help increase awareness for reef
conservation to a wider audience
Future
• Regular app updates, new features,
facebook login
• Expand global network of CoralWatch
users, CoralWatch info app in more
languages
• Other education apps
• Underwater device options? Or scan data?
Sponsor opportunities available to support and help conserve reefs!

21. Summary
• Mobile technologies can improve the scope and
capacity of citizen science projects
• Tools to assist with data entering, uploading,
viewing and editing are essential for success.
• Mobile apps need to be designed with both
data and users in mind – can be tricky
• A close collaboration between scientists and
app developers is required. Thanks ...
• Protecting the environment is a team effort of
citizens, scientists and everyone here.
Together we can make a difference!

22. Ucapan Terima Kasih Acknowledgements
Hassanudin
University