To spray or not to spray? A scenario-based exercise for tertiary-level horticultural students

A scenario-based exercise was developed to expose third-year degree-level horticultural students to the complexities of modern orchard pest and disease management. Using scenarios developed and presented with the e-learning tool SBL Interactive, students are required to analyze four successive scenarios set at different growth stages in the crop, and provide justified recommendations for all. The lesson combines formative and summative assessment and uses sound learning design principles. The exercise could be adapted to workplace training. This paper describes the lesson and discusses the rationale behind the lesson design.