Jurnal Geografi
Vol. 18 No. 1 (2026): JURNAL GEOGRAFI

Accelerating Sustainability Competencies in the Younger Generation through the Problem-Based Gamification Learning Model

Rima Meilita Sari (Geography Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Samudra, Indonesia)
Ayu Suciani (Unknown)
Zukya Rona Islami (Unknown)
Ridhwan Ridhwan (Unknown)
Nabila Huwaida Sijabat (Geography Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Samudra, Indonesia)
Ravinesh Rohit Prasad (Department of Social Sciences, College of Humanities and Education, Fiji National University, Fiji)



Article Info

Publish Date
07 Apr 2026

Abstract

Higher education faces the challenge of shaping a young generation that cares about the environment. However, in reality, young people still face difficulties in developing sustainable skills. Problem-Based Game-Based Learning (PBGL) is learning innovation for shaping sustainable competencies. The aims of this study were to determine students' sustainable competencies, determine the effect of length of study on sustainable competencies, and analyse the effect of the PBGL model on sustainable competencies. To analyse the influence of PBGL, a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design with a control group was used. Meanwhile, to determine the differences in sustainability competencies based on length of study, the Mann-Whitney U test was used. The instrument used was modified from the sustainability competency instrument to suit the characteristics of the research subjects. The results show that sustainability competencies before treatment were at a moderate level. After treatment, the experimental group showed an increase in holistic thinking to 90.5%, followed by an increase in conflict resolution to 95.37%. The experimental group showed a significant increase (t=13.462, p<0.001) with an increase in competence exceeding that of the control group. When viewed from the difference in length of study, there is a significant difference between fifth-semester and seventh-semester students. Seventh-semester students demonstrate higher competence than fifth-semester students (p<0.05). The difference in average shows a 10% difference. This indicates that academic maturity affects the effectiveness of PBGL and sustainability competence. The results show that the PBGL model is able to accelerate the development of sustainability competencies. This study has important theoretical and practical implications for the improvement of sustainable environmental curricula and higher education learning.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

geo

Publisher

Subject

Earth & Planetary Sciences Education Environmental Science Social Sciences Other

Description

Jurnal Geografi is published as a scientific communication media in the field of Geography Education in particular and Geography in general, as well as other related fields, for faculty members, alumni of Geography Education both from the Faculty of Social Sciences of State University of Medan and ...