You are here: Home / CABI Publications / Exploring the Value of Simulations in Plant Health in the Developing World

Exploring the Value of Simulations in Plant Health in the Developing World

Published: September, 2016

External publication

Cara Nolan, Jonathan Mason, Joshua Hall, Michael Thompson, Philip Taylor, Robert Reeder, Ulli Kuhlmann

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.

Exploring the Value of Simulations in Plant Health in the Developing World

Type External publication

Published in Marsh, T., Ma, M., Oliveira, M.F., Baalsrud Hauge, J.B. and Göbel, S. (eds) Serious Games. Proceedings, Second Joint International Conference, JCSG 2016, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, September 26-27, 2016. Lecture Notes in Computer Science 9894. Springer, pp. 153-162

Language English

Year 2016