Applying Game-Based Experiential Learning to Comprehensive Sustainable Development-Based Education

Shin-Jia Ho, Yu-Shan Hsu, Chien-Hung Lai, Fong-Han Chen and Ming-Hour Yang
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Shin-Jia Ho: Department of Center for General Education, National Taichung University of Science and Technology, North District, Taichung City 406053, Taiwan
Yu-Shan Hsu: Department of Information and Computer Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li District, Taoyuan City 320314, Taiwan
Chien-Hung Lai: Department of Information and Computer Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li District, Taoyuan City 320314, Taiwan
Fong-Han Chen: Department of Environmental Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei City 106209, Taiwan
Ming-Hour Yang: Department of Information and Computer Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li District, Taoyuan City 320314, Taiwan

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 3, 1-20

Abstract: To promote the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), public awareness of the importance and urgency of sustainable development should be raised by providing relevant education programs. Although game-based learning has been confirmed to be one of the most effective routes to deepen public understanding of the SDGs and sustainable development in general, games for comprehensive sustainable development-based courses have yet to be popularized. Thus, we developed a game-based learning approach that delivers comprehensive conceptual information on SDGs. Based on Kolb’s theory of experiential learning, students understood the relevance of the SDGs by playing a board game designed to simulate the real world, including national and international policies. Furthermore, considering the suspension of in-person learning and shifts to digital instruction caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a digital version of the board game was created to compare the effects of digital and non-digital game-based learning. A comprehensive sustainable development evaluation questionnaire was developed and optimized using the fuzzy Delphi method to assess the participants’ knowledge of and attitudes toward the SDGs. Our results reveal that the digital and non-digital board game both improve students’ knowledge and attitude toward sustainable development. However, the digital board game was more effective than the non-digital board game.

Keywords: sustainable development goals; sustainable development education; game-based learning; digital game-based learning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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