Board Game-Based Experiential Learning as a Sustainable Innovation for Media and Information Literacy

Abstract

The rapid spread of misinformation within digital media ecosystems poses a significant challenge to sustainable development, democratic participation, and informed civic engagement, highlighting the critical role of Media and Information Literacy (MIL) in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). However, traditional MIL instruction often relies on didactic approaches that limit learner engagement and experiential depth. This study investigates the critical success factors of a board game-based experiential learning approach as a sustainable and innovative intervention for MIL education. An MIL workshop was conducted with 422 students using a board game designed around Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory (ELT), enabling structured cycles of experience, reflection, conceptualisation, and action. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was employed, combining Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and correlation analysis with qualitative reflections collected through open-ended questionnaires. Five key factors were identified: (F1) Experiential Skills Development, (F2) Affective Motivation, (F3) Social Learning, (F4) Game Engagement, and (F5) Active Participation. The findings demonstrate that experiential learning plays a central role, strongly influencing motivational, social, and engagement-related factors. The intervention strengthened cognitive and affective MIL competencies, indicating that continued experiential engagement may further support the progression from awareness to active participation in addressing misinformation. This paper contributes a scalable, low-cost, and non-digital educational innovation, offering practical insights for educators and policymakers seeking to design inclusive, learner-centred MIL interventions that support long-term social resilience and sustainable development.