Examining Student Use of Learning Supports in Educational Games

• In Event: Supportive Components of Game-Based Learning

Abstract

While widely used, educational games differ greatly and debate centers around many key design decisions. How best to support in-game learning is one example. Here, we explore students’ use of in-game learning supports in a digital physics game. We examine what supports were favored and what student characteristics are related to learning support use. While we expected prior knowledge would play a role, it was not significantly related. Ethnicity was also not related to learning support use, but gender did play a role. Further research into other learner characteristics can help define what leads to learning support use, informing future design of in-game learning supports for educational games.

Authors

• Ginny Smith, Florida State University

• Valerie J. Shute, Florida State University