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Game-based education promotes practices supporting sustainable water use

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  • Bilancini, Ennio
  • Boncinelli, Leonardo
  • Di Paolo, Roberto

Abstract

We estimate the impact of a game-based educational program aimed at promoting practices for sustainable water usage among 2nd–4th grade students and their families living in the municipality of Lucca, Italy. To this purpose we exploited unique data from a quasi-experiment involving about two thousand students, one thousand participating (the treatment group) and one thousand not participating (the control group) in the program. Data were collected by means of a survey that we specifically designed and implemented to record students’ self-reported behaviors. Our estimates indicate that the program has been successful: the students in the program reported an increase in efficient water usage and an increase in the frequency of discussions with their parents about water usage; moreover, positive effects were still observed after six months. Our findings suggest that game-based educational programs can be an effective instrument to promote practices supporting sustainable water use behaviors in students and their parents.

Suggested Citation

  • Bilancini, Ennio & Boncinelli, Leonardo & Di Paolo, Roberto, 2023. "Game-based education promotes practices supporting sustainable water use," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:208:y:2023:i:c:s0921800923000642
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2023.107801
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    1. Igei, Kengo & Kurokawa, Hirofumi & Iseki, Masato & Kitsuki, Akinori & Kurita, Kenichi & Managi, Shunsuke & Nakamuro, Makiko & Sakano, Akira, 2024. "Synergistic effects of nudges and boosts in environmental education: Evidence from a field experiment," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 224(C).
    2. Roberto Di Paolo & Veronica Pizziol, 2024. "Gamification and Sustainable Water Use: The Case of the BLUTUBE Educational Program," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 55(3), pages 391-417, June.

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