Digitalization of the ‘climate change game’
The University of Barcelona has been actively promoting the integration of digital tools to create more engaging and effective learning environments. By digitalizing the climate change game, we are contributing to this strategic goal. The game will serve as a valuable digital resource, offering an interactive and immersive learning experience that complements traditional teaching methods. This initiative will also foster digital literacy among students, preparing them for the increasingly digital world.
In line with the DIGAPREN project, the digitalization of the climate change game will significantly enhance both educators' teaching methods and students' learning experiences through the use of an open-source digital tool that can also be used for research purposes. Hosting this game on the university website, similar to initiatives like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s “Moral Machine” or Harvard University’s “Implicit Association Test,” will ensure broad accessibility and massive data collection opportunities. These examples have successfully collected millions of data points, providing invaluable resources for both pedagogical and research outputs. The digital game will allow for extensive data collection that can be used for further research in climate change mitigation behaviors and policy impacts, aligning with the broader objectives of the DIGAPREN project to foster innovation and improvement in teaching and learning practices.
General Objectives:
- Scale up the climate change game to reflect tensions between economic growth and climate change mitigation using an open-source, user-friendly interface: By digitalizing the game, we aim to accurately simulate the difficult decisions policymakers face when balancing economic development and environmental sustainability. This digital platform will make the game more accessible and engaging for a broader audience.
- Educate students on climate change, relevant to many disciplines: The game will serve as an educational tool that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries, providing valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of climate change. It will help students from various fields understand the urgency and complexity of addressing climate issues.
- Introduce and explain complex concepts such as expected values, opportunity costs, and game theory: Through interactive gameplay, students will gain a deeper understanding of these economic concepts, which are often abstract and challenging to grasp through conventional teaching methods. The game will make these concepts tangible and relatable.
To utilize oTree’s visualization capabilities to enhance the design, implementation, and analysis of the climate change game, we will provide clear, interactive, and customizable visual elements that improve both participant engagement and data clarity. This enhancement will ensure that students not only learn theoretical concepts but also see their practical applications in real-time scenarios.
Specific Objectives:
- Utilize visual aids to enhance students' understanding of game instructions and performance: Visual aids will be integrated into the game to help students quickly grasp how to play and what is expected of them. This will lead to a more seamless learning experience and better comprehension of the game’s objectives and mechanics.
- Digitalize data collection and securely store data: The game will feature robust data collection capabilities, ensuring that all player decisions and outcomes are securely stored. This data will be invaluable for analyzing gameplay, conducting research, and refining the educational content.
- Handle a large number of participants, suitable for big classrooms: The game will be designed to accommodate large groups of students, making it ideal for use in big classrooms. This scalability ensures that the game can be used in a variety of educational settings, from small seminars to large lectures.
- Ensure the experiment can be accessed via any web browser: Accessibility is key to the game’s success. By making sure the game is compatible with all major web browsers, we will ensure that it can be easily accessed by students and educators regardless of their preferred device or operating system. This universal access will facilitate widespread adoption and use of the game.
