Analyzing the Affordances of Animal Crossing: New Horizons for Middle School Life Science Education

• In Event: Game-Based Learning Environments

Abstract

Game-based learning has become a widely used approach for its cognitive, affective, and motivational affordances for students across disciplinary and cross disciplinary learning in K-12 education. However, choosing appropriate games and identifying their affordances for teaching remains a roadblock for teachers. In this paper, we used the Game Network Analysis framework to examine the educational affordances of popular commercial entertainment game Animal Crossing: New Horizon and establish alignment with Next Generation Science Standards specifically for middle school life science. The analysis generates actionable implications for educators and designers to bring this game to science classrooms.

Authors

• Yue Xin, University of Maryland - College Park

• Mamta Shah, Elsevier