Development of an Artificial Intelligence-Based Mobile Application Platform: Evaluation of Prospective Science Teachers’ Project on Creating Virtual Plant Collections in terms of Plant Blindness and Knowledge

Abstract

This research aims to investigate the use of an artificial intelligence-based mobile application with plants and plant identification techniques (AImPLANT) with prospective science teachers in outdoor activities. The goals of the study are: i) to develop an AI-based mobile application from scratch based customized for education ii) to enhance knowledge about common plants iii) to increase awareness of plants, animals, and the natural environment, offering solutions to reduce plant blindness iv) to support outdoor activities to observe, identify and taxonomically determine specific characteristics of plants (endemic, economic, health, aesthetic etc.) v) guide students creating an individual virtual herbarium. The research will achieve the expected goals by coding an original “AI-Based Mobile Application” using ChatGPT and PlantNet APIs through technologies like Flutter, Firebase, Firestore, involving approximately 3200 lines of code. The mobile application includes components such as an “Plant collection (herbarium) project module”, “AI-based chatbot", "AI-based plant identification module", "AI-based student assessment module", and a "Student assistance section". The application provides guidance in creating virtual plant collections (herbariums). Additionally, aids by the “help module” and “chatbot”. Furthermore, an AI-based “self-assessment module” evaluates like a teacher based on the answers. The research question and sub problems were based on prospective science teachers' knowledge about plant identification and taxonomy, plant blindness, and opinions on studying with artificial intelligence outdoors with common plant species. The research, once again showed that artificial intelligence facilitates teaching biology, increases academic success, has positive contributions to eliminating plant blindness, and reduces teacher candidates' concerns about artificial intelligence and affects their opinions positively.