Development of Educational Game for Promote Waste Management Awareness at Pha Taem National Park

Abstract

The research aimed to 1) develop an educational game to promote waste management at Pha Taem National Park; 2) evaluate the game’s efficiency; and 3) assess user satisfaction while comparing waste-sorting knowledge before and after gameplay. The study focused on fostering correct waste segregation practices and promoting tourism within the park. The methodology began with a comprehensive literature review of waste types and the geography of Pha Taem National Park. Field data were subsequently collected through interviews with park officials and tourists to inform the game design. The game was developed using the Unity engine, with graphical assets created via Krita. The research instruments included: 1) a web-based game application; 2) an efficiency evaluation form for experts; and 3) a knowledge and satisfaction assessment form for users.
The findings revealed that the five experts rated the accuracy at the highest level (mean = 4.44), followed by game quality (mean = 4.08) and content appropriateness (mean = 4.00). Satisfaction assessments from 67 participants indicated an overall high level of satisfaction (mean = 4.42). The highest-rated aspect was system responsiveness (mean = 4.52). The three most highly-rated aspects (mean = 4.58) were: 1) consistency between game format and objectives; 2) immediate command responsiveness; and 3) rapid visual and audio rendering. Furthermore, a comparison of pre- and post-test scores demonstrated a statistically significant increase in participants' waste segregation knowledge. These results confirm that the developed game is an effective tool for enhancing waste management awareness.