FOREST EDUCATION FLOURISHES: INNOVATIONS POST - COVID

Forests are crucial for human flourishing in numerous ways. Therefore, it is important to understand how these ecosystems function, their role in our health and well-being, and the threats they face.  This understanding enables us to become responsible stewards of this versatile resource.

Education about forests fosters a greater admiration for these natural marvels and paves the way for a future where humans and forests can coexist harmoniously. The COVID-19 pandemic altered the educational system, affecting forestry education as well. Nevertheless, this disruption sparked a surge of innovation that promises to enrich the field for future generations.

The Global Competition on Best Practices in Forest Education 2.0 provided valuable insights into the innovations developed by scientists, professors, and teachers globally to navigate the challenges posed by COVID-19 and maintain the flow of knowledge to students. This competition aims to showcase and disseminate the creative solutions educators have employed to meet new challenges and inspire the creation of innovative teaching materials related to forests.

We had a total of 17 participants from 13 countries worldwide. The proposals varied, encompassing blended learning approaches that merge online components with traditional in-person methods and gamification techniques where games were created to mimic forest management practices, facilitate tree identification, or raise awareness about environmental issues. Now, let's explore the innovative strategies developed by the first and second-prize winners of the competition.

FIRST PRIZE WINNER: FIELD FOREST SURVEYING AND MAPPING - THAILAND

Dr. Piyawat DILOKSUMPUN and a team from the Department of Forest Engineering, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University in Thailand, submitted an exemplary practice for the competition. Their innovative approach focuses on adapting the Field Forest Surveying and Mapping course to address the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. This practice stands out as innovative in forest education for its pioneering response to the challenges brought by the pandemic. It incorporates 360-degree imaging technology to simulate on-site experiences and seamlessly integrates visual resources into the online curriculum via a Learning Management System (LMS), enabling active student engagement in survey planning. This approach has benefitted 250 students, providing them with an immersive virtual forest experience, fostering self-directed learning, and equipping them with resilient and adaptable skills despite the absence of physical fieldwork. This method preserves the core of practical application while ensuring that students acquire theoretical understanding and essential practical skills necessary for effective forest surveying and mapping.

SECOND PRIZE WINNER: CLIMATE RUSH - FRANCE

Climate Rush, crafted by Ngo Bieng Marie Ange from Cirad - France, is an inventive board game. It's purposefully designed to convey the vulnerability of tropical forests to climate change in an accessible and captivating way. In the game, players must safeguard the integrity of a tropical forest amidst simulated temperature rises, all while learning about the biodiversity, resilience, and vulnerability of tropical trees. Ange emphasizes that ClimateRush is groundbreaking in addressing pressing challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and the susceptibility of tropical forest species to climatic shifts. Students engaged with ClimateRush reported various benefits, including heightened knowledge about climate vulnerability and resilience, involvement in climate restoration efforts, and a broader awareness of the global dimensions of climatic vulnerability. Students found the game educational and enlightening and enjoyed the learning process. Additionally, they showed interest in contributing to the game's development and offered valuable insights for potential enhancements.