Design, Learn, and Play: Designing Engaging Educational Computer Games

• In Event: 61.086 - Roundtable Session 21
  In Roundtable Session: 61.086-11 - Gesture, Graphing, Tablets, Assessment, Games, and Engagement

Abstract

In recent years, game-based learning computer environments attracted interest as technologies that improve the learners’ engagement and motivation, support cognitive processes and respond to learners’ needs. The problem of this study was to design, implement, and evaluate an educational game for grade five through seven students using a theoretical framework encompassing game-based learning theories, design principles characteristics to game design and instructional design techniques. The study used mixed-methodologies combining design-based research, descriptive statistics and semi-structured interviews. The participants in this study included one teacher, two instructional designers, and twenty four students. Findings focus on design practices aimed to improve students’ engagement and motivation to use the game as a learning tool.

Author

• Mirela Gutica, British Columbia Institute of Technology