It [the CD-ROM] has been enormously helpful because lots of herbaceous plants are either simply not around when I teach them (e.g. winter!) or they don't last long in the greenhouse. The CD gives the student ready access to these plants in closeup and landscape format at anytime. We also have voice pronunciation of the scientific plant names, something students have always said helps them remember (if they hear it pronounced instead of struggling with the sometimes awkward Latin/Greek, they recall it better, they say). The response has been very positive and although it may be too early to tell for sure, I believe the plant identification test results have been better than when only textbook photos have been used.This version has over 600 images, each adjusted by myself via Adobe Photoshop for color trueness, but the new version will have over 1400 images plus sound plus selection criteria to generate lists of plants based on landscape and choice features (e.g. full sun, blue flowers, 2 ft. tall, etc). This is due out in June.
For additional information on this innovation:
relyons@vt.edu