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We evaluated whether teaching the public about the “critical zone”–the Earth’s outer skin, critical to all life—via a digital serious game can affect adults’ systems thinking about the environment and support policies to protect the environment. An experiment (N = 152) compared the effects of playing “CZ Investigator” versus viewing a static websit...
Citations
... [49] raise environmental awareness, develop pro-environment behaviors, improve sustainable development, assimilate habits on the better usage of water and electricity, and recycling paper and plastic [48] Understand interconnections, solve environmental problems, develop systems thinking about the environment, and support policies to protect the environment. [63] Awareness about environmental issues and the protection of endangered species [57] (AR)-based intervention enhances awareness about fine dust. ...
Recently, sustainable development practices have increased attention as climate change and environmental impacts have increased. Interventions to encourage sustainability awareness are developing, so fostering them through education is crucial. Evidence-based studies conducted in this field have suggested the use of different digital tools to promote environmental learning gains and to foster better sustainability awareness among students. Following the PRISMA method, we found 21 articles published between 2013 and 2023 showing an interest in the use of digital tools in environmental education to foster sustainability awareness among learners. Findings indicate that virtual reality tools and climate change topics are the most trending in this research area. Further, the results show a positive impact of the use of digital tools on students’ concern for the sustainability of the planet.
... The least frequently studied participant groups were teachers (3%) (Mahler et al., 2017) and primary school students (3%) (Haas et al., 2020), with only one study each. Two research were conducted both with the public (7%) (Hayes et al., 2020; Sajjadi et al., 2022) and with graduate students (7%) (Strapasson et al., 2022;Zoller, 2015). Remarkably, only one study used more than one group of participants (high school, undergraduate and graduate students) (Zoller, 2015). ...
... In the field of environmental education, systems thinking was studied within the context of environmental (Ghalichi et al., 2021;Kucuk & Saysel, 2018;Spellman et al., 2016;Strapasson et al., 2022;Tolppanen & Kärkkäinen, 2021;Zidny & Eilks, 2022;Zoller, 2015). It is noteworthy that very limited studies were conducted in the area of earth science (Sajjadi et al., 2022), and engineering education (Wilson-Lopez et al., 2016). (Table 3) Which systems thinking skills were addressed in the articles? ...
... Nearly half of the articles included system characteristics such as interconnectedness (e.g. Hayes et al., 2020; Sajjadi et al., 2022), patterns (e.g. Mambrey et al., 2022Stevens et al., 2022), and feedback (e.g. ...
The systems thinking approach requires understanding and interpreting complex systems. This review investigated how the systems thinking approach in science education is positioned in peer-reviewed empirical research articles and to identify the trends used in the current literature. A systematic review of open-access, empirical peer-reviewed articles indexed in the Web of Science database from first mention through the end of 2022 was conducted to analyze the studies on systems thinking in science education. This qualitative study used a content analysis approach to identify trends in the research area of systems thinking in science education. The results revealed that research on systems thinking in science education has increased in recent years, mainly from the United States and Germany. Most studies focused on middle and high school students, and ecosystems were the most frequently addressed domain-specific topic. More than half of the reviewed articles used complexity, relationships, components, interactions, interrelationships, and dynamics as characteristics of systems thinking. The results showed that there was uncertainty in the use of the characteristics, skills, and abilities of systems thinking, and that these three terms were used interchangeably. This research can provide evidence-based indications of areas that need further investigation in future research.
... Past research has already shown that VR might be an effective tool to raise awareness and subsequently increase the pro-environmental behavioral intention of users (Ahn et al., 2015), particularly for those with less science education (Sajjadi et al., 2022). However, despite the increasing popularity of VR technology, the pervasiveness of immersive VR devices (Head-mounted Displays-HMDs) in the United States is still relatively low, at only 15% of the households in the population (Kolmar, 2022). ...
Can virtual reality (VR) lead to more desirable persuasion effects than videos in communicating the science of contentious issues like climate change? And, will these effects differ between messages that offer hope versus fear? We addressed these questions with a 2 (Modality: Desktop VR vs. Unidirectional video) × 2 (framing: Gain vs. Loss) between-subjects experiment ( N = 130), and found that VR triggered more fearful responses, which in turn led to more persuasive outcomes. It also increased individuals’ attitudes toward climate change mitigation policy when the experience was loss-framed, but backfired when the experience was gain-framed. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
... Furthermore, as reported in other studies the ENGAGE game also showed the good properties of simulation games mentioned in the literature for motivating the intentions of the stakeholders toward sustainable behaviors (Lieberoth et al., 2018;Douglas and Brauer, 2021;Bassanelli et al., 2022;Hirsch et al., 2010). Some of the unique qualities relatable to the ENGAGE game as reported in literature include; universal appeal, the ability to capture and retain participants' imaginations and intentions, simulation of near reality, 535 immediacy, interactivity, and visual feedback (Schuller et al., 2013;Sajjadi et al., 2022;Fox et al., 2020;Wolf, 2020). These qualities enable game participants to interpret, relate, argue, criticize, investigate, and construct new knowledge -hence the manifestation of pro-environmental behaviors (Sajjadi et al., 2022;Fox et al., 2020). ...
... Some of the unique qualities relatable to the ENGAGE game as reported in literature include; universal appeal, the ability to capture and retain participants' imaginations and intentions, simulation of near reality, 535 immediacy, interactivity, and visual feedback (Schuller et al., 2013;Sajjadi et al., 2022;Fox et al., 2020;Wolf, 2020). These qualities enable game participants to interpret, relate, argue, criticize, investigate, and construct new knowledge -hence the manifestation of pro-environmental behaviors (Sajjadi et al., 2022;Fox et al., 2020). This https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2459 ...
Water-related conflicts in river catchments occur due to both internal and external pressures that affect catchment water availability. Lack of shared understanding by catchment stakeholders increase the complexity of human-water issues at the river catchment scale. Among a range of participatory approaches, the development and use of serious games gained prominence as a tool to stimulate discussion and reflection among stakeholders about sustainable resource use and collective action. This study designed and implemented the ENGAGE game (Exploring New Gaming Approach to Guide and Enlighten), that mimics the dynamics observed during the dry season in the upper Ewaso Ng’iro catchment, North West of Mount Kenya. The purpose of this study was to explore the potential role of serious gaming in subsequent steps of strengthening stakeholder engagement (agenda setting, shared understanding, commitment to collective action, and means of implementation) toward addressing complex human-water-related challenges at the catchment scale. We assessed the type of decisions made during gameplay, the communication dynamics, active participation, and the implication of decisions made on water availability. The results of three game sessions show that the ENGAGE game raised awareness and provided a recognizable hydro-logic background to conflicts while guiding community discussions toward implementable decisions. The results revealed increasing active participation, knowledge gain, and use of plural pronouns, and decreasing individual interests and conflicts among game participants. This study presents important implications for creating a collective basis for water management and can inform human-water policies and modification of the process behind water allocation rules in a river catchment.
... Educational games focused on climate change promote empathy and engagement in community planning and development meetings (Wu and Lee, 2015) and pro-environmental behavior (Wolf, 2020). Educational games can be effective learning tools that lead to improved systems thinking and policy support, particularly for participants with less science education (Sajjadi et al., 2022). In this study, we assess evidence of high school students developing systems thinking habits related to complex agroecosystems after experiencing an educational game known as Prairie Protector. ...
Introduction
The Great Plains ecosystem offers an opportunity for young people to gain knowledge about intricate systems through practical learning. The spread of woody plants into grasslands, known as the “Green Glacier,” poses a risk to biodiversity and animal production. Although effective management strategies exist, some land managers are reluctant to use them. It is critical to cultivate a scientifically literate population that can think systematically and make informed decisions based on STEM principles to address such complex agroecosystem problems.
Methods
In this study, semi-structured focus group discussions with high school students were analyzed to determine whether Prairie Protector, an educational game, and its associated resources led to evidence of systems thinking habits in student conversation.
Results
Analysis of the focus group transcripts revealed that the students developed systems thinking habits through their experience playing Prairie Protector while developing empathy for land managers and others involved in the Great Plains agroecosystem. In general, students found the game enjoyable and a useful tool for learning about agroecosystems, conservation land management, and the spread of invasive species.
Discussion
Analysis of the student statements led to the development of a guiding framework to assess and analyze students development of systems thinking habits that could be used to scaffold student learning experiences to explore, understand, and interact with complex systems. Providing simulated environments for students to interact with complex systems should be explored in additional scenarios to support student development of systems thinking skills.
... The t Test Statistics are representative and the p values for all three SEM regressions are less than the 0.05 threshold, showing again that our models were well designed ( Table 5). The bootstrapping value of two-tailed t tests was greater than 1.96 [37,38]. The steps presented in Tables 2-5 empower us to assume that the indicators of the constructs correlate and are appropriate for the model and the model is representative and fit. ...
Agroecology is a sustainable alternative to agricultural science, aiming at balancing the environment-plant-animal-man complex in an equitable way. Different players in the food system across the world are engaging in the practice and promotion of agroecology. Their experience serves as input for agroecology innovation hubs, thus assisting and accelerating the adoption of agroecological practices. Based on existing experience in implementation of innovation ecosystems and living labs in Romania, the study discusses critical factors required for a successful transformation of agriculture, with the aim to fill existing research gaps on agroecological techniques. The authors are also emphasizing the role of new business models in this area. The study used an anonymous survey with Likert scale ratings, and structural equation modeling, PLS. The study results were indicative of a certain degree of enthusiasm for agroecological practice adoption, particularly among organic farmers and business owners. The chances that these practices are adopted by farmers can be enhanced provided there is a systematic exchange of knowledge among the farmers. Clusters of farmers based on community of practice could create innovation ecosystems providing this accelerates its adoption. Correlation with the economic and political processes of the country is necessary, as emphasized by the farmers interviewed during the study. Through innovation hubs, agroecology must move from the currently smaller scale to larger scale practices such as agroecosystems and agri-food systems. These forms of organization should also take due account of relevant socio-economic, cultural, and political factors.
... Second, although we have message conditions in our experimental design that present both cancer risks and screening rates information, we did not explicitly specify a link between these two components (that higher screening rates are associated with lower national risks of dying from cancer). As the actual cancer risks are lower than what people estimated, specifying that the level of risk is due in part to the high prevalence of cancer screening may encourage people to think about the issue more holistically to better understand the causal mechanisms (known as systems thinking, Arnold & Wade, 2015;Sajjadi et al., 2022). In this situation, screening intention may increase even if people know that the risks are lower than what they expected, though this assumption should be tested in future research. ...
Colorectal cancer and breast cancer are among the most common types of cancer in the United States, and cancer screening is an effective way to detect and treat these cancers early. Health news stories, medical websites, and media campaigns regularly highlight the national lifetime risks of specific cancers and their screening rates, but recent research suggests that people tend to overestimate the prevalence of health problems but underestimate the prevalence of disease prevention behaviors in the absence of numerical information. This study featured two online experiments, one focused on breast cancer (N = 632) and one focused on colorectal cancer (N = 671), to examine the effects of communicating national cancer lifetime risks and screening rates among samples of screening‐eligible adults in the United States. Findings confirmed prior work in showing that people overestimated colorectal/breast cancer lifetime risks but underestimated colorectal/breast cancer screening rates. Communicating the national lifetime risk of dying from colorectal/breast cancer lowered people's national risk estimates, which in turn was associated with lower perceived cancer risks for themselves. In contrast, communicating the national colorectal/breast cancer screening rate increased people's estimates of the prevalence of cancer screening, which in turn was associated with higher perceived self‐efficacy to engage in cancer screening and greater screening intentions. We conclude that efforts to promote cancer screening may benefit from messages that include data on national cancer screening rates but may not benefit from including national rates of lifetime cancer risks.
... In a similar vein, our sample size was rather small, so that possible moderating variables for the effect of the VR intervention on environmental awareness could not be assessed. For example, Sajjadi et al. (2022) found that serious games about system thinking had the strongest effects on pro-environmental attitudes for those participants with less past science education. Future studies should take such variables into account. ...
... Lezak and Thibodeau (2016) were able to show that systems thinkers tend to support policies on climate change. Sajjadi et al. (2022) could show that a learning experience can increase systems thinking and that systems thinking in turn leads to policy support regarding measures concerning foodenergy-water nexus. The authors have developed an interesting method to indirectly measure system thinking by assessing different scenarios and their impacts. ...
Previous research has shown that immersive virtual reality (VR) is a suitable tool for visualizing the consequences of climate change. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether visualization in VR has a stronger influence on climate change awareness and environmental attitudes compared to traditional media. Furthermore, it was examined how realistic a VR experience has to be in order to have an effect. The VR experience consisted of a model of the Aletsch glacier (Switzerland) melting over the course of 220 years. Explicit measurements (new environmental paradigm NEP, climate change scepticism, and nature relatedness) and an implicit measurement (implicit association test) were collected before and after the VR intervention and compared to three different non-VR control conditions (video, images with text, and plain text). In addition, the VR environment was varied in terms of degrees of realism and sophistication (3 conditions: abstract visualization, less sophisticated realistic visualization, more sophisticated realistic visualization). The six experimental conditions (3 VR conditions, three control conditions) were modeled as mixed effects, with VR versus control used as a fixed effect in a mixed effects modeling framework. Across all six conditions, environmental awareness (NEP) was higher after the participants (N = 142) had been confronted with the glacier melting, while no differences were found for nature relatedness and climate change scepticism before and after the interventions. There was no significant difference between VR and control conditions for any of the four measurements. Nevertheless, contrast analyses revealed that environmental awareness increased significantly only for the VR but not for the control conditions, suggesting that VR is more likely to lead to attitude change. Our results show that exposure to VR environments successfully increased environmental awareness independently of the design choices, suggesting that even abstract and less sophisticated VR environment designs may be sufficient to increase pro-environmental attitudes.
... Last, psychologists can contribute their expertise to developing different types of responses. Responses include those that (a) change processes that lead to proenvironmental actions, such as increasing people's connection to nature (Lengieza & Swim, 2021) or systems thinking (Sajjadi et al., 2022); (b) target specific human actions that drive environmental conditions (e.g., McKenzie-Mohr, 2000); (c) raise awareness of environmental conditions, the connection between pressures and states, and the impacts of environmental conditions that could motivate drivers (e.g., Geiger et al., 2017;Swim et al., 2018;Zhao et al., 2014); and (d) help people prepare for and adapt to impacts (van Valkengoed & Steg, 2019). In all of these responses, psychologists can contribute their insights about social justice to create more effective and inclusive responses (Bretherton & Ride, 2014;Bulkeley et al., 2013;Doherty et al., 2022). ...
Achieving global health requires attention to the interdependency of the health and well-being of nature and its inhabitants. As outlined by the DPSIR (Drivers, Pressures, States, Impacts, and Response) model, achieving this goal will be aided by a better understanding of (a) human and natural drivers of geophysical pressures that alter environmental states, (b) the impacts of environmental conditions on human and nonhuman life, and (c) responses that can be made to alter drivers, pressures, states, and impacts. Yet, the model could be expanded to consider psychological perspectives and social contexts more explicitly. This introductory article integrates these perspectives into the DPSIR model. It then shows how each article in the current issue contributes to the expanded model, including helping incorporate social justice into the goal of achieving global health.
