Impact of Game Design Elements on Intrinsic Motivation and Executive Function in Cognitive Skills Training

• In Event: Saturday Roundtable Session 1:15 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Learner and Implementation Factors in Game-Based Learning (Table 24)

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of motivational game design elements (star system and motivational agent) on adolescents' intrinsic motivation and executive functions (EF). 103 participants played four versions of an inhibition skills training game: star system only, motivational agent only, both elements, and no elements. In-game performance and executive functions were measured using game logs and pre/post Flanker and DCCS tasks. Motivation was measured with the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory. The findings revealed improved inhibition skills across all conditions, and significantly higher in-game performance in star system groups. However, no significant differences in EF or intrinsic motivation were found. These results highlight games' potential to enhance cognitive skills training and provide preliminary evidence that star systems can enhance these effects.

Authors

• Frankie Tam, User Research International

• Bruce D. Homer, Graduate Center - CUNY

• Jan L. Plass, New York University