Exploring Elementary School Students’ Perceptions Towards Socioscientific Issues Through the Role-Playing GamePerceptions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52731/liir.v005.237Keywords:
Socioscientific Issue (SSI), Issue Situation, Simulation Game, Roly-PlayAbstract
This study develops the simulation game <Future City> with role-playing mechanism and inquiry-based learning structure aiming to enhance the elementary school students' perceptions towards socioscientific issues. The research was conducted through a learning activity in a public elementary school in Taiwan, collecting data through pre- and post-tests administered to sixth-grade students. During the game, students took on different social roles, engaged in interactions, and made decisions to explore issues such as environmental protection, economic development, and social justice. The main findings of this study indicate that after participating in the <Future City>game-based learning, students showed significant positive changes in their perceptions towards environmental and social issues. There were divergent opinions among students when balancing economic benefits with sustainability and development, reflecting their depth of thought in understanding the balance between economic development and environmental protection. The results of the research emphasize the potential of educational games in promoting students' understanding of socioscientific issues and the development of critical thinking skills.
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