INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Understanding biodiversity and how it changes as a result of natural and manmade factors
requires the ability to recognize plant species (Mäder et al., 2021). However, researchers found
that undergraduate students, on average, can only identify 2.6 out of 32 common plant species;
approximately an eight percent identification rate. This is done by analyzing the students’ prior
knowledge pertaining to different species of plants via the Visual Classification Method (Buck et
al., 2019).
The basic foundation and understanding of botany, or just plants in general, are considered
boring and challenging to learn by students despite the fact that the aforementioned branch of
science is integral to the ecosystem. Further investigation regarding factual knowledge about plants
species was due to the students’ interest and attitude towards botany. It was found that there is a
correlation between student interest and knowledge about plants, in turn, resulting in the lack of
knowledge about plants for the average student (Kubiatko et al., 2021).
Intelligent sources suggest that the use of technology in learning helps students. Among
other uses, technology has helped students to consume more information academically and help
them be engrossed in the subjects (Dukic et al,. 2015).
The researcher theorized that by integrating modern technology to help students and the
general population of people learn more about plants; the basic identification, uses, plant type, and
more, said people would be more willing to learn about plants. The total number of people who
owns phones exceeds 7.2 Billion, making up over 91% of the world’s population (Turner, n.d.).
87% of Filipino adults own mobile phones (Media Landscpaes). With the rising prevalence of
phone usage in both quantity and quality, the researcher conceptualized the feasibility of using QR
codes that take users to a website called “Planta” that contains the information of plants.
Furthermore, this can also be used to provide information regarding the plants on a place or in an
institution. For example, Aurora National Science High School creates a digital space in Planta
and provides information regarding the plants inside their campus; what type of plants, general
information, the quantity of each plant type, the taxonomy of each plant, and a map of the campus
showing where these plants can be located.
Objective of the Study
The general objective of the study is to create a website containing information on plant
species that can be tracked through QR codes. Specifically, this study aims to:
1. make it easier to access plant information by providing physical QR codes next to plants;
2. allow people and institutions to have their own digital space where they can provide
information about their plants; and
3. further expand the integration of modern technology in education.
Significance of the Study
Innovations in education have been made possible by technological advancements.
Traditional education is thriving thanks to new technologies and more learner-centered
environments. There are learners that prefer self-learning on this spectrum. Traditional learning
materials have been upgraded to be more appealing, motivational, and technologically advanced.
One of these inventions is the QR (Quick Response) Code (Durak et al., 2016). Citizen science,
environmentalism, and education may all benefit from the use of mobile applications (Mäder et
al., 2021).
This study aims to integrate the quick response code technology into education, allowing
user-friendly interactions between the learner and the environment. By giving each plant a QR
code, mobile users can scan it and be sent to a website or app containing the general information
of the plant type, or the plant itself if it contains significant history such as the Tree That Owns
Itself in Athens, United States.
Scope and Limitation of the Study
The study aims to create an app/website that would give information about plant species
and historical plants all over the world which would be trackable with Quick Response (QR)
Codes. However, the study will be limited to the website of plants inside the campus of Aurora
National Science High School in creating the prototype. This will include the plant types, the
general information of each plant type, and the plant location shown via Google Maps.
The respondents of the study will answer a survey limited to three parts; demographic
profile; student perceptions towards the use of QR Codes in education; and perceptions towards
planta.
Time and Place of the Study
The study was conducted in Brgy. Zabali, Baler, Aurora, Philippines from April to May
2022.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
The Use of Quick Response (QR) Codes in Education
QR codes have been around for years, thanks to a Japanese company. With the introduction
of smart and Web-enabled mobile devices, we've seen a steady increase in the number of
fascinating commercial QR code applications (Law and So, 2010). This has been used for the
mobile-learning method that incorporates quick response codes. It achieved significant results in
favor of outdoor education, but also found that it increases the uses of the Cognitive Theory of
Multimedia Learning (Lia et al., 2013).
Learners reported their awareness of quick response codes; how it is used; and how useful
it is in education. They have also expressed the positive impact of implementing QR codes in
education due to visual elements, direct routing, and attractiveness. No reports of difficulty were
given (Durka et al., 2016).
Existing Plant Identification Apps
A plant identification app called Flora Incognita allows uses user action for the process of
identification. Users take multiple images of a plant from different angles and the app will identify
the unknown plant. It also makes use of geolocation, given the user’s consent, to identify the
habitat of the plants which would help the identification process. Flora Incognita is a client-server
system that consists of scalable microservices running in our data center and client apps that make
the identification service available in a variety of circumstances. The server side is divided into
three parts: an observation service, an identification service, and a training service. An intuitive
UI and additional instructional materials are available to users. The observations, along with their
information, constitute a valuable resource for studying, monitoring, and understanding plant
variety (Mäder et al., 2021).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Research Methods and Techniques
The Sample
100 people were chosen to participate in the study. Samples are selected randomly online
and in-person. However, the number of respondents where only 50.
The Instruments
The researcher used the following techniques in gathering data.
Survey questionnaire. The instrument used for data analysis a questionnaire given to the
respondents through google forms and physical questionnaires.
Internet research. The researcher conducted this instrument to gather more data and
topics relevant to the study. It gives the researcher an idea for the topics they used.
Library research. The researcher also used existing literature such as thesis papers and
books related to the study in gathering information.
Data Collection Procedure
The researcher reached out to numerous people online. The researcher chose participants
at random and gave them either the google form or physical copy of the questionnaire.
The demographic profile of the respondents is presented in percentages. To present the
respondents’ score in each question, the weighted mean shall be used to interpret the data.
Perceptions Toward the General Use of QR Codes in Education
Scale
4
3
2
1
Range
3.26-4.00
2.51-3.25
1.76-250
1.00-1.75
Verbal Interpretation
Strongly Agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Perceptions Toward Plant: Plant Information Website Trackable via QR Codes
Scale
Range
Verbal Interpretation
4
3
2
1
3.26-4.00
2.51-3.25
1.76-250
1.00-1.75
Strongly Agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Physical Quick Response Codes
Preparation of Physical QR Codes
Quick Response (QR) codes will be designed in Adobe Photoshop and printed in paper.
The paper containing the QR Code will be laminated for a tougher exterior, protect the paper,
and prevent the ink from deteriorating.
Figure 1.1 Design of QR Code Paper
Figure 1.2 Physical Copies of QR Codes
Display of Quick Response Codes
Quick Response (QR) Codes will be displayed near a plant that it provides the
information of. The laminated paper containing the QR code will be tied to a piece of rope
around the tree.
Figure 2. Display of QR Code
Development of Prototype: Planta Website Demo
Figure 3. (3.1) Home Page, (3.2) Places and Institution Page, (3.3) ANSHS Page
Platform
The website: Planta, will be developed using the online platform Wordpress. Wordpress
allows the researcher advantages compared to traditional HTML website development such as
consumed time by learning the language and development of the demo website.
Extra Tools
Google Maps is integrated into the website to show the location of the plants via the
Geographic Coordinate System. The researcher made custom locations of trees in the interactive
map. Clicking the location will provide an image of the specific tree on the specific location,
while also providing its coordinates.
Figure 4. (4.1) Embedded HTML of Custom Google Maps in Planta, (4.2) Tree Location Info
Pages and Posts
The demo website of planta contains three pages: The Home Page: Places and
Institutions: and Aurora National Science High School in order. The third page; Aurora National
Science High School contains the hyperlinks that takes the user to posts of specific plant types
which contains basic information, taxonomy, and location. While these posts can be visited via
search engines, these posts will typically be visited using QR codes.
Figure 4.1 Post of Indian Mango
Figure 4.2 Post of Indian Mango (Labeled)
Data Gathered
Significant data were gathered, evaluated, and recorded in a spreadsheet. Details in the
study will be presented chronologically.
Survey Questionnaire:
1. Perceptions Towards the General Use of QR Codes in Education
a. QR Codes should be more prevalent in education.
b. QR Codes help both students and teachers in education.
c. QR Codes allows studens to be more engrossed in education.
2. Perceptions Towards Planta: Plant Information Website Trackable Via QR Codes
a. I think being able to track plant information via QR Codes is useful and
convenient for educational purposes.
b. I think being able to track plant information via QR Codes is useful and
convenient for tourism.
c. I think institutions and places having their own space in the internet for plant
information is useful for education.
d. I think institutions and places having their own space in the internet for plant
information is useful for tourism.
e. I think being able to track the location of specific plants in the website is useful.
f. I prefer prominently being displayed simple, easy to understand information over
advanced information.
g. Planta will be helpful for students.
h. Planta will be helpful for tourists.
i. Planta will be helpful for the general population.
Website Performance
1. Do QR Codes direct the user to the right plant in the right place?
2. Does the website and all its pages run properly?