Training Competencies for Sustainable
Thinking Through an Educational
Nature Trail Supported
by a Location-Based Smartphone Game
Ulrike Starker, Andrea Heilmann and Dominik Wilhelm
Abstract The goal of this research paper is to train peoples’ ability to think
sustainably. This includes learning to recognize and handle complex relationships as
well as using interconnected thinking to act successfully in the long term. Therefore
a theoretical framework for sustainability competency is formulated in this article
which is derived from concepts of complex problem solving. For this purpose a training was developed around the topic of “water” to improve these competencies. We
chose a “solution-focused” concept which means, learning by positive and inspiring
didactical principles. The training is supported by a didactical smartphone-game,
involving personal priorities and behaviour. The game is targetted to kids, students
and their families, and uses current technological possibilities such as location tracking and augmented reality to enhance the learning experience.
Keywords Sustainable development and teaching · Sustainable competency ·
Managing complex problems · Emotional adaptivity · Serious games ·
Game-based learning · Sustainability games
1 Introduction
The 2030 Agenda, which was adopted by the United Nations on 25 September 2015,
is a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. The 17 Sustainable Development
Goals (SDG) and 169 targets demonstrate its scale and provide measurable data. Its
objectives can be summarized in the following key aspects: the improvement of
skills, the efficiency of equal opportunities and the related ecosystem impacts. The
U. Starker · A. Heilmann (B) · D. Wilhelm
Harz University of Applied Sciences, Friedrichstraße 57–59, 38855 Wernigerode,
Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
e-mail: aheilmann@hs-harz.de
U. Starker
e-mail: ustarker@hs-harz.de
D. Wilhelm
e-mail: dwilhelm@hs-harz.de
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
W. Leal Filho et al. (eds.), Universities as Living Labs for Sustainable Development,
World Sustainability Series, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15604-6_22
357
Thinking Through an Educational
Nature Trail Supported
by a Location-Based Smartphone Game
Ulrike Starker, Andrea Heilmann and Dominik Wilhelm
Abstract The goal of this research paper is to train peoples’ ability to think
sustainably. This includes learning to recognize and handle complex relationships as
well as using interconnected thinking to act successfully in the long term. Therefore
a theoretical framework for sustainability competency is formulated in this article
which is derived from concepts of complex problem solving. For this purpose a training was developed around the topic of “water” to improve these competencies. We
chose a “solution-focused” concept which means, learning by positive and inspiring
didactical principles. The training is supported by a didactical smartphone-game,
involving personal priorities and behaviour. The game is targetted to kids, students
and their families, and uses current technological possibilities such as location tracking and augmented reality to enhance the learning experience.
Keywords Sustainable development and teaching · Sustainable competency ·
Managing complex problems · Emotional adaptivity · Serious games ·
Game-based learning · Sustainability games
1 Introduction
The 2030 Agenda, which was adopted by the United Nations on 25 September 2015,
is a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. The 17 Sustainable Development
Goals (SDG) and 169 targets demonstrate its scale and provide measurable data. Its
objectives can be summarized in the following key aspects: the improvement of
skills, the efficiency of equal opportunities and the related ecosystem impacts. The
U. Starker · A. Heilmann (B) · D. Wilhelm
Harz University of Applied Sciences, Friedrichstraße 57–59, 38855 Wernigerode,
Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
e-mail: aheilmann@hs-harz.de
U. Starker
e-mail: ustarker@hs-harz.de
D. Wilhelm
e-mail: dwilhelm@hs-harz.de
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
W. Leal Filho et al. (eds.), Universities as Living Labs for Sustainable Development,
World Sustainability Series, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15604-6_22
357