Learning by Gaming : Design and Evaluation of a Serious Game to Increase Energy Literacy

Abstract: This study explores the design and effectiveness of a serious board game aimed at promoting energy literacy in the context of residential energy consumption. With electricity consumption and energy conservation being highly relevant and pressing topics today, there is a growing need to address the lack of knowledge and awareness surrounding household energy consumption. Serious games, recognized as effective educational tools for active learning, offer a promising avenue for teaching energy-related concepts. Through a thematic analysis, this thesis examines the impact of different game mechanics on players’ development of energy literacy. The findings demonstrate that integrating these game mechanics facilitates knowledge acquisition, evokes emotional responses, and prompts self-reflection. By incorporating elements for data physicalization, such as a hand-gripper to represent energy consumption, user engagement, and learning outcomes are enhanced. The study highlights the potential of educational games in fostering energy literacy and shaping individual energy consumption habits. Future research can explore combining digital and physical components in serious games to optimize educational impact further and advance energy literacy initiatives.