Finding 3 - Not a Black and White Issue
“I learned that the world, especially when it comes to controversial topics like oil, is not black and white. The oil sands are covered in a blankets of grey... there are pros, there are cons, and they are lacking in transparency. Many are divided on whether the oil sands are a blessing or a curse and nobody's really sure what to do with them.” (student survey response)
A key part of my investigation was to determine if Fort McMoney would influence students’ attitudes toward the oil sands (pro, con, or neutral). I simply asked students to choose a statement that best described their stance on the oil sands (all things considered). I wasn’t concerned if the game would sway them one way or another, rather I was simply looking to see if there was some type of shift.
The data in Figures 11 and 12 reveal some interesting insights. While over a third of the students (36%) stated that prior to playing Fort McMoney they “did not know enough about [the oil sands] to have an opinion”, less than 2% stated the same after the game. Perhaps the more important observation is that almost 85% of the students responded with one of the more moderate opinions (“Overall against them, but realize there are some benefits”, “Overall in favour, but realize there are some negative effects”, or “Neutral because the pros and cons balance each other out”). If the game was heavily biased, we might expect to see higher numbers in the post-survey for either of the extreme pro or con positions (“Strongly against them” or “Strongly in favour of them” ). This is further highlighted in the short written responses students provided to justify their stances (whether ultimately pro, con or neutral). Responses from the post-survey such as the following were not uncommon:
Neutral: “I think that the oil sands are important for Canada's economy and they do bring in a lot of much needed money. However they have caused lots of problems: environmental and social which this game really highlights. Either way, I'm glad I was able to learn about this and be able to form an educated opinion.”
Mainly against: “Although the oil sands development in Alberta contributes to a large part of Canadian GDP, its effects socially and environmentally outweigh this. Not only that, but the oil sands also affect the economy locally, like driving the cost of living up and bringing inflation. Finally, there is a problem of homelessness, alcoholism, and drug abuse tied with the boomtown nature the oil sands bring.”
Mainly in favour: “Although I do realize that there are some environmental aspects about Fort McMurray, there are also many benefits to the economy. Through the game I learned how Albertans rely on the revenue from the oil sands, and how badly impacted they would be if the oil sands were to shut down. Many jobs would be lost, and the economy would take a huge blow.”
Neutral: “I think that the oil sands are important for Canada's economy and they do bring in a lot of much needed money. However they have caused lots of problems: environmental and social which this game really highlights. Either way, I'm glad I was able to learn about this and be able to form an educated opinion.”
Mainly against: “Although the oil sands development in Alberta contributes to a large part of Canadian GDP, its effects socially and environmentally outweigh this. Not only that, but the oil sands also affect the economy locally, like driving the cost of living up and bringing inflation. Finally, there is a problem of homelessness, alcoholism, and drug abuse tied with the boomtown nature the oil sands bring.”
Mainly in favour: “Although I do realize that there are some environmental aspects about Fort McMurray, there are also many benefits to the economy. Through the game I learned how Albertans rely on the revenue from the oil sands, and how badly impacted they would be if the oil sands were to shut down. Many jobs would be lost, and the economy would take a huge blow.”
