An Unholy Mix: Reading and Games?

• In Event: Instructional Technology SIG: How Are Computer Games and New Media Changing Text Comprehension and Learning?

Abstract

Educational publishers are starting to insert games as rewards at the end of “serious” content modules. How effective is this? Is there a “hierarchy” of game type? Are games with continuous storylines, and student-created content (e.g., avatars) really more engaging? Does it matter if the learning is embodied? Are simple puzzle games just as effective? We will explore the state of research on these questions and present a matrix of embodiment and game type as it currently exists in K-12 education.
In addition, we will discuss how “new media” allows researchers to gather data while the student is learning. The design and analysis of these in-process (aka stealth) assessments is an area of active research. Educational media designers and researchers need guidelines for how to create content that maximizes learning while gathering subject variables and learning markers that are non-obtrusive and do not disrupt the flow of learning.

Authors

• Mina Catherine Johnson-Glenberg, Arizona State University

• Tatyana Koziupa, Arizona State University - Tempe