Developing a more engaging safety training in agriculture: Gender differences in digital game preferences. (February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vigoroso, Lucia; Caffaro, Federica; Micheletti Cremasco, Margherita; Cavallo, Eugenio
• Is Part Of: Safety science. Volume 158(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-02
• Subjects: Agriculture -- Digital learning -- Gamification -- Gender -- Preference -- Safety training; Industrial accidents -- Periodicals; Accident Prevention -- Periodicals; Safety -- Periodicals; Travail -- Accidents -- Périodiques; 363.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2022.105974
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0925-7535

Abstract

Highlights: Digital training can help improving occupational safety in agriculture. Gender differences in digital games preferences were investigated. Females 'need to have help messages always available' on game interface. Males prefer the crafting game more than females. Females prefer a Simplified 2D, Stylized 3D and Realistic graphic more than males. Abstract: Digital games have been effectively used in different working sectors as an occupational safety training method but they are still overlooked in agriculture, despite the high hazardousness of this industry. At the same time, the gender issue is becoming more and more relevant both in the digital game and agricultural fields because of an increasing number of females, both among the agricultural operators and the game players . Based on these considerations, our study aimed at investigating gender differences in the preference for different game characteristics to point out which aspects of a new game for safety training purposes in agriculture may appeal to both male and female operators and which aspects need instead a careful design and high levels of customization, to be equally appreciated by both genders. An online questionnaire was administered to a group of Italian Agricultural Science university students (N = 137, 65% males and 35% females) to investigate their game preferences, in terms of game characteristics, genre and graphic style. Some clear differences (in tasks, quests, rules, and goals, colors and variety), and similarities (in graphics, drama, better rewards and game genre) emerged in males' and females' preferences. Based on these results, some practical guidelines are provided for the design of a gamified safety training tool which can appeal to and be considered engaging by both genders.