Board Games as a Teaching Tool for Sustainability

Abstract

Current literature reveals the importance of expanding the educational toolchest to include teaching through games. Game-based learning has been extensively studied, underscoring a human need to have fun while learning. This research project focused on the development of Paved Paradise: A Tiny House Ecovillage Board Game, that could teach individuals how to live on the planet with minimal impact while they simultaneously designed a tiny house ecovillage. Intended to be used in multiple settings (education, governmental agencies, nonprofits, and families), the board game taught basic requirements for sustainable living. Pre- and postgame survey comments and audio recordings during gameplay documented the gameplayers’ current knowledge regarding ways to live sustainably, exposed their strong drive to compete and marginal compassion toward houseless individuals. For many, the game revealed a need to collaborate and support others in order to complete the game successfully—a parallel to succeeding in current real-life efforts at change. Preliminary gameplay data, collected during the COVID-19 pandemic, revealed the strengths and weaknesses of the game design, as well as in attitudes toward change and expressing compassion for fellow humans. With further revision, testing, and expansion to a wider audience, the board game has the potential to provide greater understanding of the means to address climate change and drive positive transformation in local neighborhoods. Includes Supplemental Materials available in ProQuest: Summary Spreadsheet for the Game Design (Appendix B), Game Directions and Links (Appendix C), and Paved Paradise 3-D Booklet (Appendix D).