Yuverta enriches plant knowledge with interactive 3D learning tools
Yuverta is the largest green secondary and vocational education provider in the Netherlands. The programmes focus on themes such as agriculture, climate, water management, nature, and sustainable development.
The challenge
Within the Gardener programme, it is important that students learn the morphology of plants. This falls under the subject of plant knowledge. Recognising and naming the characteristics of plants forms the foundation.
This was done during outdoor practical lessons with real plants, in combination with workbooks. In practice, this was not always easy, because plants are seasonal and not available year-round to study. The workbooks were supposed to partially compensate for this problem, but:
- Outdated workbooks had little appeal to students;
- Limited practice opportunities;
- Images and drawings did not provide a complete picture of plants;
- Seasons and growth stages did not always make characteristics visible.
Our solution
Learning plant knowledge has been enriched with MetaChef's online learning environment. This is used before and after practical lessons and by students at home.
Students now practise plant knowledge using more than 15 leaf shapes and 10 flower types. They learn to recognise characteristics such as leaf shapes (oval, heart-shaped, triangular), leaf margins, buds, and flower structures. Thanks to the search function, students can instantly look up information during fieldwork and compare it to real plants or leaves.
With the interactive 3D learning tools, students can view plants, leaves, and flowers from all angles and practise at any time, regardless of the season or location. This way, they better prepare for both practical lessons and tests.
"Last year we started using new digital 3D applications in our education. With these, students learn the morphology of plants in a way that makes recognition not only easier, but also more enjoyable and interactive."
