Treatment of an Anonymous Recipient: Solid-Waste Management Simulation Game

This study developed a game simulation based on problem solving in the management of urban waste. We then investigated the factors affecting the decisions made by players. During gameplay, the players sought to guide the development of a city via management strategies involving a balance of economic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of educational computing research 2015-07, Vol.52 (4), p.568-600
Main Authors: Wu, Ko-Chiu, Huang, Po-Yuan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attitude Measures
Balancing
Computer Simulation
Conservation (Environment)
Economic Development
Educational Games
Educational Technology
Elementary School Students
Foreign Countries
Game Theory
Games
Likert Scales
Management
Natural Resources
Players
Pollution
Pollution abatement
Problem Solving
Questionnaires
Recycling
Sanitation
Simulated Environment
Statistical Analysis
Student Attitudes
Students
Taiwan
Technology Uses in Education
Undergraduate Students
Urban Planning
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Summary:This study developed a game simulation based on problem solving in the management of urban waste. We then investigated the factors affecting the decisions made by players. During gameplay, the players sought to guide the development of a city via management strategies involving a balance of economic growth and environmental protection. Nature served as an anonymous recipient of the pollution caused by the actions of players. Within a very limited time period, the players had to determine the degree to which they could conserve nature, learn the limits of growth, and develop insight into the dynamic operations necessary to manage a clean city. It was found that the 34 Taiwanese undergraduate students valued economic growth highly and were willing to sacrifice nature for the sake of progress. In contrast, 35 students from Taiwanese elementary schools tended to strive for a balance between conserving nature and promoting economic growth through the building of sustainable houses that produce less pollution. However, this led to an inappropriate allocation of resources, embodying a self-interested ethos. This game taught players about the costs associated with waste processing as well as the values of fairness and reciprocity, particularly with regard to resource utilization and solid-waste management.
ISSN:0735-6331
1541-4140
DOI:10.1177/0735633115585928