Educational games as a motivational tool: Considerations on their potential and limitations

PASSARELLI, Marcello, DAGNINO, Francesca Maria, EARP, Jeffrey, MANGANELLO, Flavio, PERSICO, Donatella, POZZI, Francesca, BAILEY, Chris J, PERROTTA, Carlo, BUIJTENWEG, Thomas and HAGGIS, Mata (2019). Educational games as a motivational tool: Considerations on their potential and limitations. In: LANE, H, ZVACEK, Susan and UHOMOIBHI, James, (eds.) CSEDU 2019 - Proceedings of the 11th international conference on computer supported education. Scitepress, 330-337.

Preview

PDF Bailey-EducationalGamesMotivational(VoR).pdf - Published Version All rights reserved. Download (271kB) | Preview

Abstract

There is considerable interest in leveraging video games to support students’ motivation. This involves employment of educational (serious) and entertainment games. However, while evidence indicates that games can enhance learning outcomes, doubts persist about whether they retain their enjoyable character in formal learning contexts. This study was carried out within the H2020 Gaming Horizons project, which involved a review of academic literature on the role of games in society, as well as 73 semi-structured interviews with relevant stakeholders, including players and educators, investigating their positions on game-related issues. The interviews suggested that players tend to view game-based learning – and specifically serious games at school – with scepticism. This is partly attributable to the perception that serious games have lower production values than entertainment games, and that gaming, as a voluntary, self-driven activity, clashes with the structured nature of school. Some educators reported individual and gender differences in the motivating power of games. However, the use of entertainment games to foster learning outcomes was seen favourably. Two focus groups devoted to the issue highlighted the need for carefully tailoring the gaming experience to both context and student, and the importance of developing a sustainable business model for enhancing serious games quality.

Item Type:	Book Section
Additional Information:	CSEDU 2019, 11th International Conference on Computer Supported Education, Heraklion, Crete - Greece, 2-4th May 2019
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.5220/0007586503300337
Page Range:	330-337
Depositing User:	Louise Beirne
Date Deposited:	11 Jul 2019 11:11
Last Modified:	18 Mar 2021 03:57
URI:	https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/24834

Actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads

Publication Metrics