How to Use WormLearn ?

How to Use WormLearn

The Basics . . .

WormLearn is an online document containing information about worms and other human parasites. It consists largely of text information, combined with links to relevant images and sites of interest.

WormLearn is organised according to major taxnomic groupings of the organisms involved. If you are unfamiliar with biological classification (let's face it, who paid attention in the taxonomy lessons anyway) or with parasitology in general, you may wish to browse through the WormLearn Glossary. Wherever possible, I have tried to link any problematic words to the Glossary throughout the document. If you think there are some words which should be included, please let me know and I'll try to include it in future updates.

Getting About . . .

Navigating your way through WormLearn is as easy as clicking on any link. To the left of the screen you should have a navigation bar with buttons representing the major groupings (Protozoa, Nematodes, Tapeworms, Flukes, Insects and Arachnids). If you have a particular parasite in mind (so to speak), click on the appropriate group and follow the information from there. You can always return to the main page by clicking on the WormLearn logo.

Each taxonomic section is then broken up into smaller sections. The criteria I used for classification here is a haphazard mixture of clinical and taxonomic divisions, bound to annoy purists, but I have found it makes sense to me. Each major division has a small table of contents to get you where you want to go sooner. By following the link, you should find yourself reading about the parasite of your choice.

While browsing through each section, you may come across small thumbnail images. If you'd like to see a larger version of the image, simply click on the image to see it in more detail. The images range in quality from excellent to appalling.

You may also find some links to other sights of interest. These sites are places which I believe would be useful in helping the reader understand parasites better. The number of sites is bound to increase as I improve the sites, and I'm always on the lookout for more. If you have some sites you think would be relevant, get in touch and I'll consider it for inclusion. I make it a policy to get the full permission from owners of other sites before I make a link. Please also if you uncover any links which are no longer functional.

Reader Input . . .

Because I have other "interests" (well, work commitments), it's very likely that this site won't be as fundamentally all-encompassing as it should be. Therefore, I'm on the lookout for anyone who'd like to contribute to wormlearn. I'll consider anything vaguely relevant - glaring mistakes I've made, pictures, updates from research, folktales, amusing anecdotes involving worms. If I find it's suitable, I'll include it in the document, complete (if you request) with full recognition of your contribution and an email/WWW link if you so desire. Of course, what I include will be judged according to appropriate content and (most importantly) whether I can coax some more webspace out of The Hub.

Well, that's the basics. The best way to learn is to do it yourself. Have Fun !

Take me back to the main page . . .