UTILIZATION OF VIDEOCAST TOOLS TO IMPROVE THE LEARNING OF PLANT BREEDING TECHNIQUES IN PRE-GRADUATE AND MASTER STUDENTS OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

Plant breeding is of great importance for Plant Sciences and related University studies. This is a scientific discipline which encompasses a plethora of techniques and strategies applied to the genetic improvement of cultivated plants and the development of new cultivars.

To reach a satisfactory training and learning in this discipline it is necessary to learn at both theoretical and practical levels subjects such as, among others:
i) hybridization between parent lines,
ii) plant diversity assessment and exploitation,
iii) plant population genetics, or iv) in vitro culture.

At the Universitat Politècnica de València, several degrees include these subjects (e.g. Agricultural Sciences, Plant Biotechnology, Master in Genetics and Plant Breeding). However, we have detected that students experience some difficulties for suitable learning of plant breeding techniques and their implication in breeding programs. Moreover, the number of students who choose distance learning is increasing. In this regard, we consider that broadcasting can be a useful tool to improve the learning of these techniques, in particular if provided in short (limited to 10 minutes) blocks of information.

In this contribution we present the preliminary results of an e-learning program based on short video casting, each including the explanation of a specific breeding technique (including pictures, video images, and V.O.). The first broadcastings for this study are:
i) hybridization technique,
ii) in vitro culture of immature embryos,
iii) evaluation of crop diversity,
iv) breeding objectives in vegetables (using Capsicum peppers as an example).

These videos can be watched on the PoliTube platform, created by the UPV for online education.

A comparative analysis of both learning strategies has been done. Students evaluated the suitability of both traditional lecture explanation and broadcasting and their pros and cons. They also included in their answers which specific subjects were finally understood by means of broadcasting (or more easily understood) instead of the traditional lecture, as well as suggestions for improving the broadcastings. As a whole, students received favorably this method as it provides a more visual learning of breeding techniques. In addition, they also consider that this strategy also contributes to a better understanding of breeding methods, being a suitable complement to theoretical lessons. In conclusion, we consider that videocast tools are of great utility for improving plant breeding learning and related subjects.