How people learn while playing serious games: A computational modelling approach

Wim Westera

    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

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    Abstract

    This paper proposes a computational modelling approach for investigating the interplay of learning and playing in serious games. A formal model is introduced that allows for studying the details of playing a serious game under diverse conditions. The dynamics of player action and motivation is based on cognitive flow theory, which is expressed in quantitative terms for this purpose. Seven extensive simulation studies involving over 100,000 iterations have demonstrated the stability of the model and its potential as a research instrument for serious gaming. The model allows researchers to deeply investigate quantitative dependencies between relevant game variables, gain deeper understanding of how people learn from games, and develop approaches to improving serious game design.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)32-45
    Number of pages14
    JournalJournal of Computational Science
    Volume18
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 31 Jan 2017

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    Serious games

    Keywords

    • Serious gaming
    • Learning
    • Simulation
    • Modelling
    • Flow theory
    • Methodology
    • STRATEGIES
    • MOTIVATION
    • DESIGN

    Cite this

    Westera, Wim. / How people learn while playing serious games: A computational modelling approach. In: Journal of Computational Science. 2017 ; Vol. 18, No. 1. pp. 32-45.
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    abstract = "This paper proposes a computational modelling approach for investigating the interplay of learning and playing in serious games. A formal model is introduced that allows for studying the details of playing a serious game under diverse conditions. The dynamics of player action and motivation is based on cognitive flow theory, which is expressed in quantitative terms for this purpose. Seven extensive simulation studies involving over 100,000 iterations have demonstrated the stability of the model and its potential as a research instrument for serious gaming. The model allows researchers to deeply investigate quantitative dependencies between relevant game variables, gain deeper understanding of how people learn from games, and develop approaches to improving serious game design.",
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    Westera, W 2017, 'How people learn while playing serious games: A computational modelling approach', Journal of Computational Science, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 32-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocs.2016.12.002

    How people learn while playing serious games: A computational modelling approach. / Westera, Wim.

    In: Journal of Computational Science, Vol. 18, No. 1, 31.01.2017, p. 32-45.

    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

    TY - JOUR

    T1 - How people learn while playing serious games: A computational modelling approach

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    PY - 2017/1/31

    Y1 - 2017/1/31

    N2 - This paper proposes a computational modelling approach for investigating the interplay of learning and playing in serious games. A formal model is introduced that allows for studying the details of playing a serious game under diverse conditions. The dynamics of player action and motivation is based on cognitive flow theory, which is expressed in quantitative terms for this purpose. Seven extensive simulation studies involving over 100,000 iterations have demonstrated the stability of the model and its potential as a research instrument for serious gaming. The model allows researchers to deeply investigate quantitative dependencies between relevant game variables, gain deeper understanding of how people learn from games, and develop approaches to improving serious game design.

    AB - This paper proposes a computational modelling approach for investigating the interplay of learning and playing in serious games. A formal model is introduced that allows for studying the details of playing a serious game under diverse conditions. The dynamics of player action and motivation is based on cognitive flow theory, which is expressed in quantitative terms for this purpose. Seven extensive simulation studies involving over 100,000 iterations have demonstrated the stability of the model and its potential as a research instrument for serious gaming. The model allows researchers to deeply investigate quantitative dependencies between relevant game variables, gain deeper understanding of how people learn from games, and develop approaches to improving serious game design.

    KW - Serious gaming

    KW - Learning

    KW - Simulation

    KW - Modelling

    KW - Flow theory

    KW - Methodology

    KW - STRATEGIES

    KW - MOTIVATION

    KW - DESIGN

    U2 - 10.1016/j.jocs.2016.12.002

    DO - 10.1016/j.jocs.2016.12.002

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    Westera W. How people learn while playing serious games: A computational modelling approach. Journal of Computational Science. 2017 Jan 31;18(1):32-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocs.2016.12.002

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