What do we know from research on:

Key points Digital games for learning have some distinctive features (see slide 3) Digital games for learning can have various hardware & software characteristics (see slide 4) They can take the form of many different game genres (see slide 5) They usually encompass mechanisms to track users’ knowledge, ensure that they learn accordingly & trigger interventions when necessary. Most of these mechanisms are based on Intelligent Tutoring Systems (see slide 6) Cheaper & more accessible gaming technology has facilitated the creation of games for learning (see slide 7) Evidence shows that while the structure of a game used for learning is partly responsible for students’ achievements, teachers play an even greater role in ensuring games-based learning is effective (see slide 8).

Features of games specifically created for learning Digital games for learning usually include some or all of these features: Game Format Educational Objectives Mulitmodal Representations Feedback Mechanisms Information Provided to Users Users’ Knowledge & Proficiency Tracking Tools Adaptive Pedagogical Mechanisms Link to existing Learning Management System

Hardware & software characteristics of digital games for learning Can be employed on a wide range of hardware including: Desktop computers Game consoles Handheld devices Can feature: 2D technologies 3D technologies Can use: Single-player games Multi-player games

Digital games for learning can take the form of many different game genres Possible game genres include: Shooters (or shoot’em ups) Bat-and-ball games Platformers Puzzles Mazes Sports games Racing games Real Time Strategy (RTS) games Role Playing Games (RPGs) First –Person Shooters (FPS) Massively Multiple Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) Adventure games Educational versions of existing (commercial) games

Tracking users’ learning Student Model Records info on students’ knowledge & mistakes Information is gathered from students Knowledge is assessed Knowledge students may attain upon mastery Expert Model Pedagogical Model Pedagogical strategies adapted to students’ knowledge Appropriate pedagogical strategies are applied Determines how info. is displayed to students Information is displayed accordingly Interface Model Below are the 4 essential components (in constant communication) of Intelligent Tutoring Systems (usually linked to a Learning Management System) used to track users’ knowledge, ensure they learn accordingly and trigger interventions when help is needed.

Gaming technology available for educators, designers & students to create learning games The software available for this comprises: Can be 2D (e.g. Game-Maker) or 3D (e.g. Unity3D) Some particularly designed for the deployment of education or training material (e.g. Thinking Worlds) Some particularly designed for students to create a video game using scripting or drag-and-drop features (e.g. Alice) Game Engines A Mods is a Modification of an existing video game, accompanied by a Software Development Kit (SDK) Practical to use for making an educational game as SDK includes wide range of tools to speed-up the development process Mods have been used for educational & motivational purposes (e.g. for science or employment skills) Mods MUVEs enable players to interact in 3D virtual spaces, socialize, collect artifacts & explore. e.g. Sloodle, which combines Second Life and Moodle (an LMS) Commercial & free online learning environments are available for educators & designers to customize content based on learning objectives Multi-user Virtual Environments

Effective digital games-based learning impacting positively on students’ achievements depends on:

Further information For a reference list and full discussion of all academic articles and policy papers used as a basis for this visual presentation, please consult the ‘in depth’ answer associated to this question. For a summarized text version of the above mentioned ‘in depth’ answer, please consult the ‘in short’ answer associated to this question.