Study on Vegetation Succession Learning Support System Using a Forest Management Game

- Utilization of Robotics and Mechanical Technology for Science Education -

Abstract

In order to solve many of the issues currently facing forests worldwide, as well as to move toward a global, sustainable society, it is important for children to learn about vegetation succession. While experiencing concepts first-hand can deepen one's understanding of knowledge learned from textbooks, vegetation succession occurs over a long period of time, making it a difficult match for this type of learning. For this study, we developed a forest management game in which learners can experience related concepts in a virtual environment. This system allows users to experience vegetation succession by managing forests where this succession has occurred over hundreds of years. As the first step toward this system, we have developed and experienced to children a system that gives experience of vegetation succession.