Metsäkoulutus ry (Finnish Forest Training Association) and Keuda developed virtual learning environments for forest management practice in collaboration with 3DBear, independent of time and place. The virtual teaching materials produced in the project diversify both in-person and distance learning in the forestry field and complement simulator-based learning with forest machines. The project developed exercises for practicing low and high thinning, selecting planting sites, understanding the principles of continuous cover forestry, and performing a forest machine pre-departure inspection.
Forest management content produced in the project. Students practice forest thinning following the low or high thinning principle on a mobile device.
Virtual learning environments enable, among other things, numerous practice repetitions for students, which is not possible within regular teaching time. Vesa Tanttu from Keuda, who was involved in the development, sees this as adding value to teaching. Juha Masonen from Keuda also notes that the virtual forest machine pre-departure inspection serves its purpose excellently for students who haven't yet had the chance to physically operate the machine. When the machine has already been explored virtually beforehand, students have the confidence and readiness for the actual teaching session, making learning even more effective. "Creating exercises virtually can also help different types of learners grasp concepts better," says Sara Saloniemi from 3DBear, who was responsible for the technical implementation.
Virtual exercise for the pre-departure inspection. Here, the engine oil level is being checked. The content can be used with VR headsets and in a web browser.
The project has been a great step toward diversifying forestry education. At the content launch event, this was confirmed by students who noted that the content was an excellent, hands-on alternative to theoretical teaching and that it prepared them well for practical forestry tasks such as performing a pre-departure inspection.
The content is available free of charge to members of Metsäkoulutus ry.
For more information about the project:
Ville Manner, Executive Director, Metsäkoulutus ry, ville.manner@metsakoulutusry.fi
Vesa Tanttu, Teacher and project working group member, Keuda, vesa.tanttu@keuda.fi
Sara Saloniemi, 3DBear, sara@3dbear.fi
The project was funded by the Metsämiesten Säätiö Foundation. Donations and foundation mergers are an important part of the Foundation's public benefit impact. More information at www.mmsaatio.fi