Digital Experiential Learning for Sustainable Horticulture and Landscape Management Education

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, horticulture and landscape management programmes in higher education experienced a huge drawback because of the impossibility of organising field studies and conducting site research. To pursue a more sustainable method of teaching, immersive technology such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) has been increasingly adopted as an effective approach for multimodal experiential learning. This study examines student perceptions on the use of digital technology in team-based hybrid learning to achieve sustainability in tree management using data collected from students of horticulture and landscape management in a higher education institute in Hong Kong. Key theoretical principles on Kolb’s experiential learning cycle as an interactive process are discussed, followed by an empirical analysis of student survey results. This research deepens the understanding of how immersive technology enhances both environmental sustainability and learning innovation. The results demonstrate that innovative ideas in instructional methods such as ARVR simulation can enhance the environmental sustainability of how tree management can be conducted, promoting a more environmentally conscious, experiential, collaborative and digital learning experience in higher education.

Research on the Application of Extended Reality in the Construction and Management of Landscape Engineering

“…There is no statement or description of the graphics engines or add-ons used to create XR application scenarios 29 [6][7][8][10][11][12]15,16,31,34,35,[37][38][39][40][41][42]45,47,48,[50][51][52]54,61,62,67,68,70] •…”

“…56 [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][45][46][47][48][49][50]53,54,[58][59][60][61][62][63][66][67][68][69][70]82,83] AR Environment perception integration of virtual and real, enhanced interactive experience. 15 [16][17][18][19]21,39,46,51,52,54,57,61,63,64,69] MR Virtual and real seamless integration, multimode real-time interaction. 7 [20,30,…”

“…15 [16][17][18][19]21,39,46,51,52,54,57,61,63,64,69] MR Virtual and real seamless integration, multimode real-time interaction. 7 [20,30,44,55,56,61,65] At the conceptual level of technology, extended reality is defined as the "Five Horizontals and Two Verticals" top-level technical framework. The "Five Horizontals" encompass near-eye display, perceptual interaction, network transmission, rendering processing, and content creation-constituting the five major technological domains.…”

“…Immersive interactive experience Nine of the articles [53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61] included in the analysis focused on providing an immersive, interactive experience. VR and AR enable visitors to experience natural environments in an engaging and educational manner.…”

“…Classroom education Four of the articles [51,52,61,62] included in the analysis focused on classroom education. After the completion of landscape engineering construction, during the maintenance and operation phase, the gardens, with their living characteristics, provide users with social values such as natural education.…”