OCELOTS supplemental module on data interactive tools, multimedia, and 4DEE
Data files
Jul 23, 2026 version files 34.77 KB
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OCELOTS_Supplemental_Data.csv
14.42 KB
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README.md
20.35 KB
Abstract
This dataset characterizes the 29 published modules of the OCELOTS (Online Content for Experiential Learning of Tropical Systems) network, a Research Coordination Network in Undergraduate Biology Education funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation. Each module is an open educational resource (OER) based on published tropical ecology research and hosted on the Gala platform. The dataset documents module features across three domains: (1) alignment with the Ecological Society of America's Four-Dimensional Ecology Education (4DEE) framework, including 22 individual elements across Core Ecological Concepts, Ecology Practices, Human–Environment Interactions, and Cross-Cutting Themes, as well as 10 categories of cross-dimensional integration; (2) the presence and type of interactive data tools across seven categories (downloadable spreadsheets/datasets, online data visualization, online data statistical analysis, data sorting/categorization, audio data analysis, simulation and modeling, and GIS); and (3) immersive multimedia elements across five categories (site/field photography, maps of study sites, instructional/methods videos, other videos, and podcasts/audio). Modules span 12 countries and territories across Central and South America, the Caribbean, Oceania, Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. The dataset is provided as a single CSV file with 51 variables coded as Yes/No for 4DEE elements and as Yes with brief descriptions or No for data tools and multimedia features. These data can be reused to evaluate patterns in OER design, assess the integration of ecological education frameworks into digital learning resources, or inform the development of similar networks. All modules are freely accessible on the Gala platform, with URLs provided in the dataset.
Data description
Dataset title
Supplemental Data for: Fostering a network for creating and implementing open education resources in ecology
Principal investigators
- Ann Russell, Iowa State University
- Lindsay McCulloch, University of California, Riverside
- Jithin Vijayan, University of Turku; Nature Conservation Foundation
- Charles Willis, University of Minnesota
- Carlos Goller, North Carolina State University
- George Middendorf, Howard University
- John Quinn, Furman University
- Ed Waisanen, University of Notre Dame
- Carissa Ganong, Missouri Western State University
- Akbar Reza, Universitas Gadjah Mada
- Colin Orians, Tufts University
Description of the data
This dataset characterizes the 29 published modules of the OCELOTS (Online Content for Experiential Learning of Tropical Systems) network, a Research Coordination Network in Undergraduate Biology Education (RCN-UBE) funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (DBI-RCN-UBE 2120141). The dataset documents the design features of each module across three domains: (1) alignment with the Four-Dimensional Ecology Education (4DEE) framework developed by the Ecological Society of America; (2) the types of interactive data tools embedded in each module; and (3) the immersive multimedia elements used to create place-based learning experiences. Data were compiled by the OCELOTS network participants during module development and review.
Geographic coverage
Modules span 12 countries and territories: Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia, Trinidad, Puerto Rico, Hawai'i (USA), Tanzania, India, and Indonesia.
Date of data collection
Modules published between 2022–2025
Module data last updated 2 April 2026
Keywords
4DEE, active learning, case studies, data analysis, field ecology, open educational resources, research coordination network, tropical ecology
Files and variables
File: OCELOTS_Supplemental_Data.csv
Format: Comma-separated values (CSV), UTF-8 encoded
Number of rows: 29 (one per module, plus one header row)
Number of columns: 51
Variable descriptions
| Variable | Description |
|---|---|
| Module Name | Title of the OCELOTS module as published on the Gala platform |
| URL | Direct URL to the module on the Gala platform (https://www.learngala.com/) |
| Authors | Module author(s); where more than three authors, listed as first author et al. |
| 4DEE | Summary of the Four-Dimensional Ecology Education (4DEE) framework dimensions present in the module, listed by abbreviation (CEC, EP, HEI, CCT) and their intersections (e.g., CEC x EP). Multiple entries separated by semicolons |
| CEC Organisms | Whether the module addresses the Core Ecological Concepts (CEC) element "Organisms" (Yes/No) |
| CEC Populations | Whether the module addresses the CEC element "Populations" (Yes/No) |
| CEC Communities | Whether the module addresses the CEC element "Communities" (Yes/No) |
| CEC Ecosystems | Whether the module addresses the CEC element "Ecosystems" (Yes/No) |
| CEC Landscapes | Whether the module addresses the CEC element "Landscapes" (Yes/No) |
| CEC Biomes | Whether the module addresses the CEC element "Biomes" (Yes/No) |
| CEC Biosphere | Whether the module addresses the CEC element "Biosphere" (Yes/No) |
| EP Natural History | Whether the module addresses the Ecology Practices (EP) element "Natural History" (Yes/No) |
| EP Fieldwork | Whether the module addresses the EP element "Fieldwork" (Yes/No) |
| EP Designing, conducting and critiquing investigations | Whether the module addresses the EP element "Designing, conducting and critiquing investigations" (Yes/No) |
| EP Quantitative reasoning and computational thinking | Whether the module addresses the EP element "Quantitative reasoning and computational thinking" (Yes/No) |
| EP Data analysis and interpretation | Whether the module addresses the EP element "Data analysis and interpretation" (Yes/No) |
| EP Communicating and applying ecology | Whether the module addresses the EP element "Communicating and applying ecology" (Yes/No) |
| EP Working collaboratively | Whether the module addresses the EP element "Working collaboratively" (Yes/No) |
| HEI Human interdependence on the environment | Whether the module addresses the Human–Environment Interactions (HEI) element "Human interdependence on the environment" (Yes/No) |
| HEI Human environmental impacts from local to global scales | Whether the module addresses the HEI element "Human environmental impacts from local to global scales" (Yes/No) |
| HEI Ecological Ethics | Whether the module addresses the HEI element "Ecological Ethics" (Yes/No) |
| CCT Structure & Function | Whether the module addresses the Cross-Cutting Themes (CCT) element "Structure & Function" (Yes/No) |
| CCT Pathways & Transformations of Matter and Energy | Whether the module addresses the CCT element "Pathways & Transformations of Matter and Energy" (Yes/No) |
| CCT Systems | Whether the module addresses the CCT element "Systems" (Yes/No) |
| CCT Evolution | Whether the module addresses the CCT element "Evolution" (Yes/No) |
| CCT Space & Time | Whether the module addresses the CCT element "Space & Time" (Yes/No) |
| CEC x EP | Whether the module integrates Core Ecological Concepts and Ecology Practices dimensions (Yes/No) |
| CEC x HEI | Whether the module integrates Core Ecological Concepts and Human–Environment Interactions dimensions (Yes/No) |
| CEC x CCT | Whether the module integrates Core Ecological Concepts and Cross-Cutting Themes dimensions (Yes/No) |
| EP x HEI | Whether the module integrates Ecology Practices and Human–Environment Interactions dimensions (Yes/No) |
| EP x CCT | Whether the module integrates Ecology Practices and Cross-Cutting Themes dimensions (Yes/No) |
| HEI x CCT | Whether the module integrates Human–Environment Interactions and Cross-Cutting Themes dimensions (Yes/No) |
| CEC x EP x HEI | Whether the module integrates Core Ecological Concepts, Ecology Practices, and Human–Environment Interactions dimensions (Yes/No) |
| CEC x EP x CCT | Whether the module integrates Core Ecological Concepts, Ecology Practices, and Cross-Cutting Themes dimensions (Yes/No) |
| EP x HEI x CCT | Whether the module integrates Ecology Practices, Human–Environment Interactions, and Cross-Cutting Themes dimensions (Yes/No) |
| CEC x EP x HEI x CCT | Whether the module integrates all four 4DEE dimensions (Yes/No) |
| Data Tool Present | Whether the module includes any interactive data tool (Yes/No) |
| Downloadable Spreadsheet/Dataset | Whether the module includes a downloadable spreadsheet or dataset; if Yes, a brief description is provided (Yes: [description]/No) |
| Online Data Visualization | Whether the module includes an online data visualization tool; if Yes, a brief description is provided (Yes: [description]/No) |
| Online Data Statistical Analysis | Whether the module includes an online statistical analysis tool; if Yes, a brief description is provided (Yes: [description]/No) |
| Data Sorting/Categorization | Whether the module includes a data sorting or categorization tool; if Yes, a brief description is provided (Yes: [description]/No) |
| Audio Data Analysis | Whether the module includes an audio data analysis tool; if Yes, a brief description is provided (Yes: [description]/No) |
| Simulation & Modeling | Whether the module includes a simulation or modeling tool; if Yes, a brief description is provided (Yes: [description]/No) |
| GIS | Whether the module includes a GIS tool; if Yes, a brief description is provided (Yes: [description]/No) |
| Multimedia Present | Whether the module includes any multimedia element (Yes/No) |
| Site/Field Photography | Whether the module includes site or field photography; if Yes, a brief description is provided (Yes: [description]/No) |
| Maps of Study Site | Whether the module includes maps of the study site; if Yes, a brief description is provided (Yes: [description]/No) |
| Instructional/Methods Videos | Whether the module includes instructional or methods videos; if Yes, a brief description is provided (Yes: [description]/No) |
| Other Videos | Whether the module includes other videos (e.g., site context, cultural, ecosystem videos); if Yes, a brief description is provided (Yes: [description]/No) |
| Podcasts/Audio | Whether the module includes podcasts or audio narratives; if Yes, a brief description is provided (Yes: [description]/No) |
| Country | Country or territory where the module's research is set |
Abbreviations used
- 4DEE – Four-Dimensional Ecology Education framework (Ecological Society of America)
- CEC – Core Ecological Concepts (4DEE Dimension 1: Organisms, Populations, Communities, Ecosystems, Landscapes, Biomes, Biosphere)
- EP – Ecology Practices (4DEE Dimension 2: Natural History, Fieldwork, Designing/conducting/critiquing investigations, Quantitative reasoning and computational thinking, Data analysis and interpretation, Communicating and applying ecology, Working collaboratively)
- HEI – Human–Environment Interactions (4DEE Dimension 3: Human interdependence on the environment, Human environmental impacts from local to global scales, Ecological Ethics)
- CCT – Cross-Cutting Themes (4DEE Dimension 4: Structure & Function, Pathways & Transformations of Matter and Energy, Systems, Evolution, Space & Time)
- GIS – Geographic Information System
- HHMI – Howard Hughes Medical Institute
- OER – Open Educational Resource
- OCELOTS – Online Content for Experiential Learning of Tropical Systems
Missing data codes
- Empty cell: Data not available (e.g., adapted modules without independent 4DEE assessment)
Code and software
No specialized software is required to use this dataset. The CSV file can be opened with any spreadsheet application (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, LibreOffice Calc) or statistical software (e.g., R, Python). The data are provided in a non-proprietary, plain-text format.
Access information
Licenses/restrictions
This dataset is released under a CC0 1.0 Universal (Public Domain Dedication) license.
Recommended citation
Russell, A., Ganong, C., Goller, C., McCulloch, L., Middendorf, G., Orians, C., Quinn, J., Reza, A., Vijayan, J., Waisanen, E., & Willis, C. (2026). Supplemental Data for: Fostering a network for creating and implementing open education resources in ecology [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/[DOI]
Related publication
Russell, A., Ganong, C., Goller, C., McCulloch, L., Middendorf, G., Orians, C., Quinn, J., Reza, A., Vijayan, J., Waisanen, E., & Willis, C. (2026). Fostering a network for creating and implementing open education resources in ecology. Methods in Ecology and Evolution.
Related resources
- OCELOTS modules on Gala: https://www.learngala.com/catalog/ocelots
- OCELOTS on QUBESHub: https://qubeshub.org/community/groups/ocelots
- 4DEE Framework: https://esa.org/4dee/
Funding
United States National Science Foundation (DBI-RCN-UBE 2120141)
Contact
Ann Russell, arussell@iastate.edu