Integration of Environmental Sustainability Issues into the “Game Design Theory and Practice” Design Course

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The quality of the paper has significantly increased after revision

Author Response

Thanks for your valuable comments. The revision is listed as below.

1. Please view line 285-296 at page 7 and blue words at Section 5, line 357-437.
2. Please view line 492-529.
3. Table 2. has been revised, Please view line 326-327.

Reviewer 2 Report

The modifications made to the article have improved it considerably.

Author Response

Thanks for your valuable comments. The revision is listed as below.

1. Please view line 285-296 at page 7 and blue words at Section 5, line 357-437.
2. Please view line 492-529.
3. Table 2. has been revised, Please view line 326-327.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

This paper is much improved. There is now a clear structure, much improved language and readability, and a clearer argument is developed.

There remains to be some editing still required, in some cases to do with minor English language issues (for example the use of the definite article in front of "design course"), and in other cases there is a chunky "rough" style of sub-sections and the lay out of information. For instance, there is a heavy use of numbered paragraphs, which at times read as if bullet points. It might be worth considering a revision of this, developing the narratives under sub-titles perhaps, rather than bullet point-style. Finally, in the "Course Review and Teacher Reflection" on page 14 of the submission, the section is largely made up of a list of short quotations, with no analysis or discussion. This is an in appropriate use of data and should be replaced with analysis and/or discussion, using quotations to illustrate the discussion rather than to "speak for themselves".

Overall though, the topic is clearly laid out, the project explained, and the findings are made clear. 

 

Author Response

Thanks for your valuable comments. The revision is listed as below.

1. Based on the problem of a chunky "rough" style of sub-sections and the layout of information. I revised it. Please view line 285-296 at page 7 and blue words at Section 5, line 357-437.
2. Page 14 Course review and teacher’s reflection has been revised as the reviewer requested. Please view line 492-529.
3. Table 2. has been revised, please view line 326-327.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

This manuscript is a resubmission of an earlier submission. The following is a list of the peer review reports and author responses from that submission.

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Integrating environmental sustainability into the course “game design theory and application” is a research topic that could bring an important contribution in the field of education for sustainability. However, the paper needs several improvements, as follows:

1. The manuscript has many grammatical and syntax errors which make difficult for the reader to focus on the core ideas of the research. Therefore, an extensive editing of English language and style is required to improve the flow of the article.
2. The literature review must be extended by including more scientific references regarding the sustainable development education (SDE) (for example, at the subsection 2.1.). This review should answer the questions: What have been done in the field of SDE until now and what are the main gaps? How will the paper help to fill these gaps?  
3. The third section of the paper should give an answer to the questions: What methodology had been used for developing the questionnaire and the interview plan? How the questionnaire items were selected? How the interviews were processed?
4. The research results should be discussed in the context of previous studies.
5. The last section of the paper could also be improved by discussing the applicability and practical implications of the research results in a larger context. For example, a great benefit of integrating environmental sustainability into the course “game design theory and application” can be the possibility to create positive attitudes toward the environment among final users of the games. Through games, players can develop an eco-friendly behavior in a fun and informal way. Thus, the paper should present and comment this indirect benefit of the research in relation to the results and limitations of previous studies.

Reviewer 2 Report

First of all, thank the researchers for the interesting contribution presented. I think it is a good idea to link game design with Education for Sustainable Development. To improve the work, it would be convenient to improve three aspects that seem fundamental. On one hand, the background as well as the references used, must be expanded. In addition, the methodology used must be better explained, as well as the structure and design of the questionnaires and interviews. The results are unclear, and are not adequately explained. Expand them deeply. All these indications will improve the conclusions research.  

Reviewer 3 Report

This paper reflects an important initiative and compelling ideas. The representation of the study however makes it difficult for me to review in any detail. In particular the language and the structure of the information is hard to follow - this applies throughout the paper and prevents a clear portrayal of ideas. In addition, the overall structure of the paper is not clearly introduced, the methodology is not described clearly and the analysis of data seems very light touch with a presentation of raw data being the predominant content in this area. 

Overall, as a piece of educational research, the subject matter and content has great merit, but the representation of the work is currently too difficult to navigate which prevents a reader or educationalist to engage or make use it.