Evaluation of a campaign on responsible use of electronic devices in Higher Education

Abstract

The aim of this research is to carry out an analysis of the evolution of knowledge and the development of attitudes and behaviors related to the responsible consumption of digital technology by students of the Degree in Environmental Sciences at the University of Valencia after their participation in a teaching proposal based on the Project-Based Learning and Service-Learning methodology consisting in the design of an Environmental Education Campaign for the responsible consumption of electronic devices. For this purpose, a questionnaire was developed as a quantitative research tool, distributed to students of the subject Interpretation and Environmental Education during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 academic years before and after their participation in the project. The results reveal significant differences in the students' knowledge of the environmental problems (natural and social) associated with electronic devices, as well as in their assessment of their consumption, showing an increase in environmental awareness regarding the importance of reducing the indiscriminate consumption of these devices and recycling them. The study concludes that the development of an environmental awareness campaign is an appropriate methodology to contribute to improving students' involvement in the measures that need to be adopted to promote and move towards responsible consumption of digital technology.