Aims of the identification keys
Teaching dichotomous keys at any stage in any syllabus can be a teaching challenge, and above all, it has to be meaningful and interesting. Most biologists at some stage do need to identify an organism and it is important to be accurate. Apart from this, there are other important reasons for being able to classify and understand the evoloutionary relationship between organisms: therefore why are keys, classification and taxonomy important? This is probably best summed up by Lewis Carroll in 'Alice through the looking Glass', and apart from anything else, a great story to read to students.

Classification and naming organisms can be fun and useful and the main aims of this key exercise are to-

• learn to identify sea turtle species from photographs, descriptions and diagrams.
• teach the principles of dichotomous keys and classification in a meaningful, interesting and valuable way.
• learn to use the Internet as a teaching and scientific resource.
• learn to use email and its value as a communication device in a rapidly expanding world community.
• by the use of keys, stimulate an interest in Ecology and Conservation.