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

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Serious Games (JCSG 2016)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNISA,volume 9894))

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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.

Plant Doctor Simulator app GooglePlay: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.  BondiLabs.PD&hl=en.

Plant Doctor Simulator promotional video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh8GOp57FOo.

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Correspondence to Michael Thompson .

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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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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45841-0_14

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-45840-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-45841-0

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