Exploring the Value of Simulations in Plant Health in the Developing World (original) (raw)

Abstract

There is a growing opportunity to deliver mobile technology-based training on the diagnosis of plant health problems and to explore experiential learning through simulation in the developing world. Solving knowledge problems in plant health en masse would have a vast impact on global food security. “Plant Doctor Simulator” is an android tablet-mounted 3D modelling simulation to enhance and measure the diagnostic skills of plant health workers. The 3D models simulate symptoms of plant pest and disease problems on a variety of crop plants, and the game play data is stored in a web portal for analysis. Early stage testing results indicate that plant health advisors in the developing world are receptive to tablet-based simulation as part of a learning and teaching program. When evaluated as a diagnostic competency assessment tool, performance in Plant Doctor Simulator was found to be correlated to performance on a traditional written exam; however, further study is required to better understand the reliability and validity of the tool. Learning effects of the simulation are not yet conclusively investigated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CABI, Surrey, UK
    Michael Thompson, Philip Taylor, Robert Reeder & Ulrich Kuhlmann
  2. Bondi Labs, Brisbane, Australia
    Cara Nolan & Joshua Hall
  3. University of Sunshine Coast, Buderim, Australia
    Jonathan Mason

Authors

  1. Michael Thompson
  2. Philip Taylor
  3. Robert Reeder
  4. Ulrich Kuhlmann
  5. Cara Nolan
  6. Jonathan Mason
  7. Joshua Hall

Corresponding author

Correspondence toMichael Thompson .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
    Tim Marsh
  2. University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, United Kingdom
    Minhua Ma
  3. SINTEF Technology and Society, Oslo, Norway
    Manuel Fradinho Oliveira
  4. University of Bremen, Bremen, Bremen, Germany
    Jannicke Baalsrud Hauge
  5. Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
    Stefan Göbel

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing AG

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Thompson, M. et al. (2016). Exploring the Value of Simulations in Plant Health in the Developing World. In: Marsh, T., Ma, M., Oliveira, M., Baalsrud Hauge, J., Göbel, S. (eds) Serious Games. JCSG 2016. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 9894. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45841-0\_14

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