Leafsnap

Leafsnap is a reference-based app for identifying trees, plants, and leaves. After launching the app, users can tap the Browse, Nearby Species, Collection, or Snap It! option. The “Browse” option lets users search for plants by name or scroll Leafsnap’s alphabetized list of plants. When users find a plant of interest, they can view pictures of it or tap the “Book” icon on the top right to learn more about it. The “Nearby Species” option identifies plants that have natural habitats close by, and it shows where the plant is located on a map. When users see a plant they wish to learn more about on the map, they can tap the plant’s name to access that information. The “Collection” and “Snap It!” features work together. If users come across a leaf they wish to identify, they can take a picture of it using the “Snap It!” feature, and the app will identify it. Once identified, the app will provide additional information. Plus, the app will store the leaf that was identified in the “Collection” feature.

Please Note: At the time of this review, there were some programming issues that caused the app to crash.

Instructional Ideas

1. Teachers can show students how to identify plants using the “Snap It” feature in this app. Next, the class can walk the school grounds with the purpose of identifying plants. Teachers will need to support students in identifying plants. After the walk, teachers can facilitate a class conversation by asking: (1) What plants did we find? (2) Can someone lookup information about each one of those plants? (3) Are those plants native to this area? (4) Do those plants produce flowers and fruit? Students can respond to these questions orally or in writing.
2. Using the “Nearby” feature, students can zoom out and read about multiple plants that are located in close proximity. Next, students can compare the plants’ differences and similarities, which may include appearance, adaptations to the environment, and the types of flowers/fruits they produce. Finally, students can pick two or three plants to compare using the Venn Diagram app. Once completed, students can email their Venn diagram to their teacher for grading.
3. As a homework assignment, teachers can require students to identify plants near their home using the “Nearby” and “Browse” features. Students will have to take a picture of the plant’s leaves using the “Snap It!” feature, as well. Students can then write a summary of the plants they identified using the UX Write, Office Offline, or WPS Office app. These summaries can be emailed to the teacher or shared on a class website.

Screenshots