Gamification of education. Overcoming conflicting sustainability goals in a playful way

Abstract

This paper examines the use of a simulation game to implement Target Sus-tainability Design (TSD), a method promoting collaboration within multidisci-plinary teams in construction projects. TSD addresses the conflict between minimizing costs and implementing social and ecological measures, integrat-ing stakeholders in creating cost-efficient and sustainable buildings. The sim-ulation game serves as a tool to teach TSD by replicating construction project processes, engaging students in two rounds of designing and building towers. The TSD process involves three steps: set targets, design to targets and build to targets. Students play the roles of different stakeholders, while time con-straints simulate real-world conditions. Data from professional participants and students alike showed the game effectively taught TSD principles, improved collaboration and supported the achievement of sustainable goals in construc-tion projects. However, limitations include a small sample size and potential bias from students’ pre-existing sustainability knowledge. Despite this, the paper highlights the importance of clear targets and multidisciplinary collaboration in achieving sustainability goals in real-life projects.