Learning Interdisciplinarity and Systems Approaches in Agroecology: Experience with the Serious Game SEGAE
Julia Jouan , Mireille De Graeuwe , Matthieu Carof , Rim Baccar , Nathalie Bareille , Suzanne Bastian , Delphine Brogna , Giovanni Burgio , Sébastien Couvreur Couvreur , Michał Cupiał , Benjamin Dumont , Anne-Lise Jacquot , Serena Magagnoli , Joanna Makulska , Kevin Maréchal , Guénola Pérès , Aude Ridier , Thibault Salou , Barbara Tombarkiewicz , Fabio Sgolastra , Olivier Godinot
Abstract
Agroecology represents a pertinent option to improve the sustainability of agriculture. To promote its application, agroecological concepts should be taught to students and professionals in the agricultural sector. However, most agricultural courses are not adapted to teach these concepts due to little interactivity or interdisciplinarity, and a lack of a systems approach to farm management. Serious games help to fill these gaps by simulating complex models in which players can learn by doing. We thus developed a serious computer game, called SEGAE (SErious Game for AgroEcology learning), which represents a mixed crop-livestock farm and assesses impacts of farming practices on indicators related to environmental, economic, and social sustainability. Its pedagogical interest was evaluated through two types of surveys given to university students who played the game during a one-week workshop: A knowledge survey on agroecology, and a feedback survey based on flow theory. Results showed that students increased their knowledge of agroecology significantly, particularly those who had had little knowledge of crop production. More than 86% of the students enjoyed the game, appreciating its interaction and feedback. Thus, SEGAE is an interesting tool to help students acquire knowledge of agroecology in a fun way by facilitating interdisciplinary and collaborative learning.Author | |
Journal series | Sustainability, ISSN 2071-1050, (N/A 70 pkt) |
Issue year | 2020 |
Vol | 12 |
No | 11 |
Pages | 1-15 |
Publication size in sheets | 0.7 |
Keywords in English | serious game; agroecology; systems thinking; interdisciplinarity; farming system |
ASJC Classification | ; ; |
DOI | DOI:10.3390/su12114351 |
URL | https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/11/4351 |
Language | en angielski |
License | Journal (articles only); author's original; ; after publication |
File | |
Score (nominal) | 70 |
Score source | journalList |
Publication indicators | = 0; : 2016 = 0.911; : 2018 = 2.592 (2) - 2018=2.801 (5) |
Citation count* | |
Additional fields | |
Finansowanie | This research was funded by the European Commission through the Erasmus+ program (project no. 2017-1-FR01-KA203-037254) and by the French Chair of Agroecology. The article processing charge was funded by the European Commission. This publication is binding only on its authors, and the Commission is not responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. |
* presented citation count is obtained through Internet information analysis and it is close to the number calculated by the Publish or Perish system.
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