Designing Biomimetic Learning Environments for Animal Welfare Education: A Gamified Approach

Area of Science:

• Animal Welfare Science
• Educational Technology
• Biomimicry

Background:

• Effective animal welfare education needs to connect theoretical knowledge with practical application.
• Existing pedagogical models may not adequately bridge this gap for diverse learners like students, farmers, and veterinary technicians.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce GamifyWELL, a novel biomimetic, gamified learning environment designed for animal welfare education.
• To evaluate the usability, engagement, and pedagogical potential of this nature-inspired instructional model.

Main Methods:

• GamifyWELL employs ecological principles (adaptation, diversification, niche specialization) within a gamified structure.
• The learning environment includes a core pathway (Pre-Test, Levels 1-4, Post-Test), enrichment tasks, and a role-specific Reward Marketplace.
• A mixed-methods approach, including pre/post knowledge assessments and engagement indicators, was used for preliminary evaluation.

Main Results:

• Preliminary implementation shows strong usability and high learner engagement.
• Learners demonstrated high voluntary participation in enrichment tasks.
• Positive feedback was received regarding role-tailored rewards.

Conclusions:

• Biomimetic gamification shows promise for enhancing animal welfare knowledge, motivation, and intended practice.
• GamifyWELL provides a replicable framework for nature-inspired instructional design.
• The approach can be extended to other sustainability-related educational domains.