Exploring the world through small green steps: improving sustainable school transportation with a game-based learning interface

Abstract

In this paper, we present a playful digital activity for primary school classrooms that promotes sustainable and active mobility by leveraging the daily journey to school into a collaborative educational experience. In the class game, stretches of distance travelled in a sustainable way by each child contributes to the advancement of the whole school on a collective virtual trip. During the trip, several virtual stops are associated with the discovery of playful learning material. The approach has been evaluated in a primary school with 87 pupils and 6 teachers actively involved in the learning activity for 12 continuous weeks. The findings from the questionnaires with parents and the interviews with teachers show a positive effect in terms of children's behavioural change as well as educational value. Indications on the use of class and school collaborative gamification activities for supporting sustainable behavioural change are discussed.