- First select a suitable platform
Select a platform to draw your dichotomous key. Creately’s dichotomous key maker offers an intuitive interface for drawing dichotomous keys online.
- Assign groups
Divide the class into small groups. Assign each a specific group of organisms to build a dichotomous key.
- Research and gather information
Guide each group to conduct a thorough research and gather information about the assigned organisms' physical characteristics, habitat, and other features. Show them how to list down the characteristics of the specimen they are trying to classify with the dichotomous key.
Create and assign folders and workspaces to each group in Creately. Provide necessary permissions to edit.
- Organize the information
Organize the characteristics in order. Start with the most general characteristics before moving to the more specific ones. Identify the more obvious and less obvious contrasting characteristics among the specimen before creating your dichotomous key.
Use Creately’s powerful and customizable table function to list down characteristics. Highlight with configurable color themes to better analyze and understand.
- Divide the specimens
Divide the specimens into two groups. The first differentiation should be made on the most general characteristic. Based on the next contrasting characteristics, divide the specimen further. Continue to subdivide the specimen by asking enough questions until your group has identified and named all of them.
- Write the key
Guide each group on how to use the already organized information to create the key. Ensure that each statement in the key has two options and that each choice leads to a unique identification of the organism.
You can create a text-based dichotomous key or a graphical one where you can even use images of the specimen you are trying to identify. Easily drag and drop shapes to create the dichotomous key and use the notes panel of each element to include more information along with attachments and links. You can also import images or use the in-built Google search function to include graphics on the canvas.
- Review and revise
Once created, share the key with other groups for feedback to improve. Use comments and discussion threads to exchange feedback on the shared canvas. Each group can share the workspaces via an email or link invite.
- Test and present
Test the validity of your dichotomous key by using it to identify various organisms from the chosen group.
As the next step, the groups can present the finalized key to the class. Use frames inside the canvas to build presentations and report-like layouts for interactive lectures and to share information.
FAQs
Creating Your Dichotomous Key
Your key must have 2 statements per step. It must have at least 4 steps, but not more than 10 steps. The statements in each step should refer to traits that you can observable in the picture.
What are some examples of dichotomous key? ›
Dichotomous keys are based on observations, so the instructor should encourage students to use observable characteristics, rather than behaviors. For example, if the picture depicts an owl, accept the observation “they have eyes that face toward the front.” Do not accept the observation “they hunt at night.”
How do you answer a dichotomous key question? ›
When thinking about how dichotomous keys work, follow these steps:
- Observe the specimen.
- Select a 'yes' option that describes the specimen.
- Navigate to a new set of options.
- Repeat from step 1 until the specimen is identified.
- Verify the answer.
For example, if the key is used for classifying trees and asks you to decide if the leaf margin is “lobed” or “not lobed”, make sure you know what lobes are and look for examples of other leaves that are lobed and not lobed. Then you will better be able to decide with certainty.
What is dichotomous answers? ›
What is a dichotomous response? A closed question where the respondent can only provide two answers, usually a 'yes' or 'no,' is a dichotomous question. It offers quick responses and provides straightforward responses.
What are two example of dichotomous? ›
Dichotomous (outcome or variable) means “having only two possible values”, e.g. “yes/no”, “male/female”, “head/tail”, “age > 35 / age <= 35” etc.
What is an example of a dichotomous question for students? ›
Dichotomous Question Example
For example, a good dichotomous question would be, “Are you taller than 6 feet?” While a bad dichotomous question would be, “Do you like the songs in album X? The respondent might not be able to express the way they feel through a Yes/No choice.
What is a dichotomous key for Grade 7? ›
A dichotomous key is a series of descriptions separated into pairs that can be used to identify organisms by their characteristics. The word dichotomous means “something that is made of two parts.” These keys are designed to be used with a defined set of specimens by answering a series of simple yes or no questions.
What are the answers to dichotomous response? ›
Belonging to the closed-ended family of questions, dichotomous questions are ones that only offer two possible answers, which are typically presented to survey takers in the following format – Yes or No, True or False, Agree or Disagree and Fair or Unfair.
What are dichotomous key responses? ›
A dichotomous key is a scientific tool used to identify and categorize different organisms or objects based on a series of choices that lead the user to the correct name or classification.
Example objects to identify: apple tree, water-lily, fir tree, dandelion, astroturf, seaweed. Dichotomous keys may be simple or complex depending on what is being identified.
What are 3 things a dichotomous key can identify? ›
A dichotomous key is a tool that can be used to identify organisms or objects in the natural world, such as plants, animals, or rocks.
How to teach dichotomous keys? ›
Provide examples of dichotomous keys and discuss how they are structured. Dichotomous keys consist of a series of pairs of statements (couplets) or questions, each of which describes a characteristic of the object or organism being identified.
How do you write a dichotomous question? ›
Belonging to the closed-ended family of questions, dichotomous questions are ones that only offer two possible answers, which are typically presented to survey takers in the following format – Yes or No, True or False, Agree or Disagree and Fair or Unfair.
