The Creation of Board Games with the Theme of Organic Agriculture as Communication Innovation for Promoting Sustainable Development

Abstract

This qualitative research aims to examine the content of organic agriculture suitable for communication in the form of board games. Also, it aims to design board games using game mechanics that lead to the learning of sustainable development regarding environmental issues. Data had been collected primarily by participatory and non-participatory observations at activities associated with organic agriculture and board games from August 2021 to November 2022. Besides, documentary research and interviews were conducted.

It was found that the content of organic agriculture should be communicated through concrete activities with which people could feel connected. This research then designed board games to tell stories about food waste composting and organic vegetable farming to make game players understand the concept of organic agriculture. The board games were designed by combining game mechanics with storytelling for playful learning in order to convey the concept of sustainable development in a concrete way in aspects of environment, waste management and circular economy.

Results from game testing showed that board games could be considered as communication innovation for learning about environment. In so doing, appropriate learning processes must be employed to meet expected learning outcomes. For example, conversation and reflection sessions after playing games should be arranged.