Research Articles

Using role-playing games in virtual exchanges: Global experiences in intercultural and multidisciplinary approaches to learning about environmental sustainability

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21827/jve.7.41327

Keywords:

role-playing games, sustainability simulations, global learning experience

Abstract

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) require intercultural collaboration to ensure that the progress made so far becomes permanent and continues to progress towards inclusion and a just approach for all people. This means our learners need intercultural skills and competencies for interacting globally. This research examines how the use of role-playing games in virtual exchange projects can provide global learning experiences on controversial environmental sustainability projects. These games simulate the complexity of multi-stakeholder decisions that are frequently problematic for implementing environmental sustainability projects. From fall 2020 to spring 2022, 267 college students from three continents (North and South America, and Europe) comprising 27 global virtual teams played game simulations as a virtual exchange activity. Results showed that students can engage effectively to reach an agreement as role-playing stakeholders for these conflictual projects (Adj R2 = .498, Chi Square = 4.683, sig. = .003). In addition, meetings among the students held a couple weeks before the game were important in preparing them for the role-playing simulation. Language and cultural barriers proved no impediment for students communicating in a non-native language. Well-timed “nudging” and scaffolding support as well as early intercultural competence self-awareness training by the instructors underpinned these positive learning experiences and outcomes in the games.

Author Biographies

Eduardo Verri Liberado, São Paulo State University

Dr. Eduardo Verri Liberado is an Assistant Professor at São Paulo State University, Institute of Science and Technology, Department of Control and Automation Engineering, Sorocaba, Brazil. Since 2020 he has been developing Global Learning activities in undergraduate and graduate courses focused on engineering, energy, and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Kelly Tzoumis, DePaul University

Dr. Tzoumis is Emerita Professor with Via Sapientiae Distinction. She has worked in the field of virtual exchange/GLE for 10 years. Her team consists of 11 global partners across four continents including the Navajo Nation. Her co-edited book Intercultural Competence through Virtual Exchange as a Tool in Achieving the SDGs by Springer Nature Press, podcasts begin January 2025.

Published

2024-12-18

Issue

Vol. 7 (2024): Special Issue IVEC 2023

Section

Research Articles

Copyright (c) 2024 Eduardo Verri Liberado, Kelly Tzoumis

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