Gardening Simulation

Created by:Sherry Burrill & Laura Hurlbirt

OLIT 533 Computer SimulationsDr. Dennis Lester

The University of New Mexico

Inspired by the White House Garden

Simulation Design: Project Description Instructional Needs

3-4 Grade Students, Ages 8-10 Content Knowledge & Process Skills

Learner Attributes Born in the “Tech Era”

Instructional Objectives Science and Math Academic State Standards

Instructional Strategies Discovery Learning & Inductive Reasoning

Simulation Attributes Intuitive & Computer Based

Simulation Design: Underlying Model 1. Learner RoleLearn about creating a vegetable gardenDevelop reasoning skills by making logical decisions to successfully grow vegetablesDirectly interact by clicking on choices to either water, plant, fertilize or pull weeds

By manipulating a microworld Through a virtual 3-D garden

Simulation Design: Underlying Model2. Content Delivery Linear sequence

User follows a simple if-then model

Faster than real time model Ensures age-appropriate learning Meets the need of users with short attention spans Speeds up plant growth so students can acquire

gardening knowledge in a shorter amount of time

Simulation Design: Underlying Model 3. ProceduresPractice growing lettuce and carrots

By looking at predicted weather forecasts, and By looking at soil moisture levels

To learn when to water

By observing the condition of the plant To look up problems in the Gardening Book To learn how often to fertilize To learn how much to water To learn how weeds affect plants

Through trial and error Crops will die if improperly tended to or neglected Crops will live if properly tended to and cared for

Simulation Design: Underlying Model 4. Logical Simulation Model Iterative Simulation Model

Examine results with pictures and graphs Adjust variables such as:

Crop type: carrots or lettuce Weeding activity Watering activity Fertilizing activity

If-Then Scenarios If my leaves begin to wither, should I add water or

fertilizer? If carrots grow differently than lettuce, how much water

and sunlight does each one need?

Simulation Design: Underlying Model

5. FidelityAge appropriate instructions through words and picturesLearning objectives and assessments based upon state standardsPrint-outs that can be utilized in traditional classroom settingsMeasured amounts of water and fertilizer, random weather that could impact growing a gardenAdjusting real time to show plant growth

Simulation Design: Scenario & Interface1. Scenario- Type

Goal Based- Simulation Outcomes Crop Quantity Crop Quality Variable Data

Goal Based- Cognitive Outcomes Develop a hypothesis Design and perform experiments Analyze data

Simulation Design: Scenario & Interface2. Scenario- MissionSimulation

Plant and raise the maximum number of healthy plants

Activities Look up and learn about in Gardening Book Plant seeds, water the plants, fertilize the plants, weed the garden Check the weather forecast, check the soil moisture content Assess the harvest, review and analyze results of experiments

Learner role Manipulate variables or not Observe results Discover relationships between variables Understand these relationships

Simulation Design: Scenario & Interface3. Scenario- Mission Focus Learner Control

Simulation results are directly affected by learner inputs.

Design Learner will select variables and apply them at will.

Discovery Experiments are provided for with two rows available to plant,

water, or fertilize. Learner manipulates variables and sees results.

Explanation Results will be displayed numerically, pictorially, and graphically Allows user to recognize data in multiple forms

Simulation Design: Scenario & Interface4. Scenario- Operations Learner Activities

Plant crop, water crop, fertilize crop, weed crop, and harvest crop

Access to a gardening book for reference View data reports of results of inputs

Simulation Capture data for number of applications of each

variable Adjust visuals based on cycle and variable effects

Simulation Design: Scenario & Interface5. Scenario- Database Examples

Growing Period - simulation cycles ResultsIf >1 sec, <31 sec = Week 1 Optimum water conditions 1 application per week If >30 sec, <61 sec = Week 2 SM = W x <2 x 60 seconds = plant2If >60 sec, <91 sec = Week 3 SM = W x 0 >60 seconds = plant1If >90 sec, <121 sec = Week 4 SM = W x >7 = plant 3If >120 sec, <151 sec = Week 5If >150 sec, <181 sec = Week 6 Optimum fertilizer 2 applications totalIf >180 sec, <111 sec = Week 7 F x 1 = plant 2If >110 sec, <141 sec = Week 8 F x 2 = plant 3

F x >2 = plant 1

Formula Variables Optimum weeds = zeroSM = soil moisture WD x >60 seconds = plant 2W = water WD x >120 seconds = plant 1F = fertilizer WD x <60 seconds = plant 3WD = weedPlant1=brown, dead Plant1 no changePlant2= yellow Plant2 decrease in size by 10% each cyclePlant3=healthy Plant3 increase in size by 10% each cycleH = harvest

Optimum conditions = highest yield= five (Plant3) per row.Graphs Yield = # of Plant3 at end of simulationF x #applications x 8 cyclesW x #applications x 8 cyclesH x #Plant3 x 8 cyclesWD x #not removed x 8 cycles

Simulation Design: Scenario & Interface1. Interfaces- Directions & InstructionsGarden Book

Easily accessible at all times Provides information about gardening

Tutorial Guidebook Easily accessible at all times Provides instructions on how to complete simulation

Interpreting Charts Easily accessible at all times Provides information about analyzing data

Simulation Design: Scenario & Interface2. Interfaces- Opening Student Objectives

Grow the maximum number of healthy vegetables Develop hypothesis Design and perform experiments Analyze data

Simulation Tutorial How-to Guidebook for simulation completion

Begin Simulation Students click ‘BEGIN’ only when ready

Simulation Design: Scenario & Interface3. Interfaces- Controls Learner Activities

Plant crop, water crop, fertilize crop, weed crop, and harvest crop

Access to a gardening book for reference View data reports of results of inputs

Simulation Capture data for number of applications of each

variable Adjust visuals based on cycle and variable effects

Simulation Design: Support Features Learner Directions

Tutorial Guidebook Gardening Book

Instructor Directions Instructor Guidebook

Technical Support Technical Support Chart

Desired Learning Outcomes Student Objectives

Evaluation and Feedback Tools Interpreting Charts