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Game-Based Social Learning for Socially Sustainable Water Management

Author

Listed:
  • Joop de Kraker

    (Department of Environmental Sciences, Open University, 6419 AT Heerlen, The Netherlands
    Maastricht Sustainability Institute, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Astrid Offermans

    (Maastricht Sustainability Institute, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Merel M. van der Wal

    (Department of Environmental Sciences, Open University, 6419 AT Heerlen, The Netherlands
    Nijmegen School of Management, Radboud University, 6500 HK Nijmegen, The Netherlands)

Abstract

An important aspect of the social sustainability of a proposed solution is acceptance by societal stakeholders. Acceptance is determined by the extent to which the solution matches with stakeholder perspectives on the problem and preferred ways to deal with it. Social learning can contribute to the social sustainability of water management strategies by achieving a convergence in perspectives among societal stakeholders. Serious games have proven to be effective in generating this type of social learning outcomes, but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. This article aims to clarify how a multi-player serious game on river management (Sustainable Delta) supports social learning among participants with initially diverging perspectives. Based on a conceptual framework for game-based social learning, hypotheses and expectations were formulated and tested with quantitative and qualitative analyses of game sessions. Convergence of perspectives was observed in 10 out of 12 gaming sessions, but could not, or could only to a limited extent, be explained by the presumed learning support mechanisms in the game’s design. This underlines the importance of opening up the black box of serious games to determine how and why they work. If this is neglected, there is a clear risk that the design of games will be based on wrong, untested assumptions and will be less effective in supporting social learning and social sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Joop de Kraker & Astrid Offermans & Merel M. van der Wal, 2021. "Game-Based Social Learning for Socially Sustainable Water Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-15, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:9:p:4646-:d:540917
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Astrid Offermans & Marjolijn Haasnoot & Pieter Valkering, 2011. "A method to explore social response for sustainable water management strategies under changing conditions," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 19(5), pages 312-324, September.
    2. Lawrence, Judy & Haasnoot, Marjolijn, 2017. "What it took to catalyse uptake of dynamic adaptive pathways planning to address climate change uncertainty," Environmental Science & Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 47-57.
    3. M. Muro & P. Jeffrey, 2008. "A critical review of the theory and application of social learning in participatory natural resource management processes," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(3), pages 325-344.
    4. Robert-Jan Den Haan & Mascha C. Van der Voort, 2018. "On Evaluating Social Learning Outcomes of Serious Games to Collaboratively Address Sustainability Problems: A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-26, December.
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    Cited by:

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