Articles
A NEW TOOL IN HORTICULTURAL EDUCATION
This is done in tight cooperation with similar institutes in Den Bosch and Delft.
In the simulation the student runs a horticultural firm.
He has to find the optimal combination of technology, energy, labour, capital, pest control and growing conditions to get the best crop, economic and environmental results.
The computer simulation describes the Dutch climatological and environmental situation.
The student needs a basic knowledge of greenhouse horticulture.
The simulation program is based upon existing models (including a climate model) and known relations between the entities of the horticultural firm.
Simulation programs can be very useful discovery learing.
The program answers "What will happen if.." questions.
A great advantage of computer simulations is that students get direct results on decisions made.
One of the main parts of the program deals with the energy factor.
Students will find that energy saving is related with many other factors.
Maximum energy saving is more then chosing the optimal technical equipment.
The program runs in a MS-DOS environment.
It is is very easy to use.
A lot of attention is paid (and will be paid) to a user friendly interface.
Results are presented in graphics and easy to read diagrams.
Dutch Higher Agricultural Education provides nowadays also courses in English.
Therefore an English version of the the program will be made.
The first prototype will be tested in educational context in autumn 1992.