Immersive learning approaches in enhancing the student learning experience for engineering ethics

The current investigation addresses the inadequacy of traditional approaches to engineering ethics education which lacks engagement. The paper describes an immersive learning approach, combining game-based and AI initiatives as well as addressing ethics around sustainability, in enhancing the student learning experience. This is achieved by designing an approach with activities such as (1) a board game simulating ethical dilemmas using professional codes of conduct, (2) AI-powered stakeholder debates with ChatGPT, and (3) a “Cradle to Grave” sustainability analysis of product life cycles. The approach, through its activities, are anchored in behavioral, social, and constructivist learning theories and aim to enhance ethical reasoning, long-term thinking, and professional values aligned with targets 4.4 and 4.7 of the UNSDGs. Data from 68 undergraduates showed strong outcomes. The ethics game improved students’ ability to identify and address dilemmas while AI debates challenged reasoning in an engaging manner. In both cases, more than 80% of students surveyed agreed to this. The sustainability analysis showed an appreciation for long-term ethical solutions with more than 90% of students surveyed valuing its importance. A Net Promoter Score of +52.9 indicated high satisfaction with the approach and qualitative feedback praised the real-world relevance and engagement of the activities. The study also offers a scalable, impactful model for ethics education.