Evaluation of an Interactive Educational Platform Based on Transmedia Narratives and Design Thinking to Raise Awareness About Water: The Case of the H2Q Project

Authors

  • Paola Alexandra Calupiña Feijoó Politecnica Salesiana University image/svg+xml Author
  • Patricia Sofía Villagómez Rodríguez Politecnica Salesiana University image/svg+xml Author
  • Yadira Guissela Franco Rocha National Polytechnic School image/svg+xml Author
  • Alejandra Elizabeth Cárdenas Ortiz University of the Armed Forces (ESPE) image/svg+xml Author

Keywords:

Transmedia narratives, Design thinking, Water awareness, Evaluation of interactive platforms, Communication for sustainability

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an interactive transmedia storytelling platform in promoting water awareness. The research employs a mixed-methods, non-experimental, descriptive-evaluative design, structured as an instrumental case study of the H2Q Project, an interactive website organized into six dystopian worlds. The sample consisted of 87 users (52.9% women; 47.1% men; mean age = 24.3 years, SD = 5.7), selected through non-probabilistic convenience sampling. The evaluation instrument was validated through expert judgment (Aiken’s V = 0.89) and exhibited adequate internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.84). Five dimensions were analyzed: user experience, content and cultural design, design thinking principles, interface design principles, and technical performance. The results show outstanding performance in multimedia features (3.7/5), usability, and interaction (both 3.4/5), with an overall rating in the mid-to-high range. The findings suggest that the combination of dystopian narratives and interactive multimedia design facilitates understanding of water-related issues and fosters critical reflection. The study provides a replicable evaluation framework for the development of digital tools in communication for sustainability.

References

Alvarado, L. F. (2025). Design thinking as an active teaching methodology in higher education: A systematic review. Frontiers in Education, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1462938

Bardin, L. (2016). Análise de conteúdo (Edição revista e atualizada). Edições 70.

https://www.edicoes70.com.br/analise-de-conteudo-9788562938047

Bathla, A., Chawla, G., y Gupta, A. (2025). Design thinking in education: Reviewing the past for setting future research. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 16, 17600–17638. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-024-02387-w

Cisneros, L., Campbell, T., Freidenfelds, N., Lindemann, A., Elliot-Famularo, H., Chadwick, C., Dickson, D., y Park, B.-Y. (2023). Eco-digital storytelling: Engaging historically excluded populations in environmental action through mentoring, geospatial technology, and digital media storytelling. Frontiers in Education, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.1083064

Duvvuri, S. (2025). Does one future matter more than the 'other(ed)'? A brief critical analysis of the UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development 2030 framework. Current Issues in Comparative Education, 27(1), 216–222. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1480728

EPFL. (2023). Fresks—Sustainability. École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne. https://www.epfl.ch/about/sustainability/community-and-awareness-building/fresks/

Escobar-Pérez, J., y Cuervo-Martínez, Á. (2008). Validez de contenido y juicio de expertos: Una aproximación a su utilización. Avances en Medición, 6(1), 27–36. https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=2981181

García, M., y Ruiz, S. (2024). Education for sustainable development and SDG 6: Pedagogical approaches for water awareness. Journal of Environmental Education, 55(2), 145–160. https://doi.org/10.1080/00958964.2024.2291187

Google Search Central. (2025). Understanding Core Web Vitals and Google search results. Google for Developers. https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/core-web-vitals

Krippendorff, K. (2019). Content analysis: An introduction to its methodology (4.ª ed.). SAGE Publications.

https://methods.sagepub.com/book/content-analysis-4e

Mahalakshmi, S., Bharath, H., Kautish, S., y Singh, D. (2025). Virtual storytelling for sustainable development: Engaging audiences with SDG narratives. In W. Leal Filho, S. Kautish, & V. P. Gupta (Eds.), Metaverse and sustainability: Business resilience towards sustainable development goals (pp. 361–375). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-89545-6_19

Naciones Unidas. (2023). Informe sobre los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible 2023. https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2023/

NetworkNature. (2022). Effective storytelling for nature-based solutions. https://networknature.eu/product/24790

Rinscheid, A., Eberlein, B., Emmenegger, P. y Schneider, V. (2020), Why do junctures become critical? Political discourse, agency, and joint belief shifts in comparative perspective. Regulation & Governance, 14: 653-673. https://doi.org/10.1111/rego.12238

Rockstrom, J., et al. (2021). Water resilience for human prosperity. Nature Sustainability, 4(4), 323–330. https://www.academia.edu/112790940/Water_Resilience_for_Human_Prosperity

Scolari, C. A. (2018). Las leyes de la interfaz: Diseño, ecología, evolución, tecnología. Gedisa. https://lc.cx/tuasO4

UNESCO. (2012). Water is precious—Water Project H2Ooooh!. UNESCO. https://www.unesco.org/archives/multimedia/document-2491

UNESCO. (2020). Educación para el desarrollo sostenible: Hoja de ruta. París: UNESCO. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000374896

UNESCO. (2025). Educación para el Desarrollo Sostenible. https://www.unesco.org/es/sustainable-development/education

Zhang, L., y Ma, Y. (2023). A study of the impact of project-based learning on student learning effects: A meta-analysis study. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1202728

Published

2025-12-14

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Calupiña Feijoó, P. A., Villagómez Rodríguez, P. S., Franco Rocha, Y. G., & Cárdenas Ortiz, A. E. (2025). Evaluation of an Interactive Educational Platform Based on Transmedia Narratives and Design Thinking to Raise Awareness About Water: The Case of the H2Q Project. Kawsay Science, 2(2), 32-45. https://cienciakawsay.com/ck/index.php/cienciakawsay/article/view/12