Computer Game Theories for Designing Motivating Educational Software: A Survey Study

Ang, Chee Siang; Rao, G.S.V Radha Krishna

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Computer Game Theories for Designing Motivating Educational Software: A Survey Study

Ang, C.S. & Rao, G.S.V.R.K. (2008). Computer Game Theories for Designing Motivating Educational Software: A Survey Study. International Journal on E-Learning, 7(2), 181-199. Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
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Journal Information

International Journal on E-Learning
ISSN 1537-2456
Volume 7, Issue 2, April 2008
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE) Chesapeake, VA

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Authors

Chee Siang Ang, City University London, United Kingdom; G.S.V Radha Krishna Rao, Multimedia University, Malaysia

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate computer game theories for educational software. We propose a framework for designing engaging educational games based on contemporary game studies which includes ludology and narratology. Ludology focuses on the study of computer games as play and game activities, while narratology revolves around the study of computer games as narratives. The proposed framework incorporates the arguments from both principles of game studies. We maintain that the enjoyment of playing games comes from two perspectives, the game play activity as well as the narrative experience. It is furthered argued that the views of both ludologists and narratologists provide an insight into how to design immersive and experiential educational software. To evaluate the theoretical framework, a survey study was conducted on a group of 100 students. The findings indicate that both theories contribute to the enjoyment factor of an educational game. Our results also suggest that the students are more motivated to learn in a game. They are aware of their learning of the subject matter, which is embedded in the game.

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References

Aarseth, E. (2000). Allegories of space: The question of spatiality in computer games. In M. Eskelinen & R. Koskimaa, (Eds.), Cybertext yearbook 2000. Jyväskylä, Finland: University of Jyväskylä.
Ang, C. S. (2004). A game theoretical framework for multimedia learning. Unpublished master’s thesis, Multimedia University, Cyberjaya, Malaysia.
Ang, C. S., & Rao, G. R. K. (2003, December). Theories of learning: A computer game perspective. Paper presented at the IEEE Fifth International Symposium on Multimedia Software Engineering, Taipei, Taiwan.
Brandstatter, H. (1990). Emotions in everyday life situations: Time sampling of subjective experience. In F. Strack, M. Argyle, & N. Schwartz (Eds.), Subjective well-being: An interdisciplinary perspective. Oxford: Pergamon Press.
Christopher, E. M. (1999). Simulations and games as subversive activities. Simulation and Gaming 30(4), 441-455.
Colaizzi, P. (1978). Learning and existence. In R. S. Valled & M. King (Eds.), Existential-phenomenological alternatives for psychology. New York: Oxford Press.
Crawford, C. (1982). The art of computer game design. Retrieved September 5, 2006, from http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/fac/peabody/game-book/Coverpage.html
Crawford, C. (2003). On game design. Indianapolis, IN: New Riders.
Frasca, G. (2001). Video games of the oppressed: Video games as means for critical thinking and debate. Unpublished master’s thesis, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta.
Gee, J. P. (2003). What video games have to teach us about learning and literacy. New York: Palgrave/Macmillan.
Grodal, T. K. (1997). Moving pictures. A new theory of film genres, feelings, and cognition. Oxford, UK: Clarendon Press.
Hillis, K. (2000) Digital sensations: Space, identity, and embodiment in virtual reality. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press.
Hoorn, J. (2003, May). Personification: Crossover between metaphor and fictional character in computer mediated communication. Paper presented at the International Communication Association Conference (Division: Information Systems, Section: Innovative Research in New Media), San Diego, CA.
Ihde, D. (2002). Bodies in technology. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press. Jenkins, H. (2002). Game design as narrative architecture. In P. Harrington & N. Frup-Waldrop (Eds.), First person. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Jones, M. G. (1997, February). Learning to play, playing to learn: Lessons learned from computer games. Paper presented at the Association for Educational Communications and Technology, Albuquerque, NM.
Koster,R. (2005). A theory of fun for game design. Phoenix, AZ: Paraglyph Press. Kücklich, J. (2003, November). The playability of computer games versus the readability of computer games: Towards a holistic theory of fictionality. Proceedings of the Digital Games Research Association Conference, Level Up (pp. 100-107), University of Utrecht, The Netherlands. Laurel, B. (1993). Computers as theatre. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley Professional; Reprint edition. Malone, T. W. (1980, September). What makes things fun to learn? Heuristics for designing instructional computer games. Proceedings of the 3rd ACM SIGSMALL Symposium and the First SIGPC Symposium on Small Systems (pp. 160-169), Palo Alto, CA.
Mayer, R. H. (1999). Designing instruction for constructivist learning. In C. M. Reigeluth (Ed.), Instructional design theories and models: A new paradigm of instructional technology (Vol. II, pp. 141-160). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Morozov, M. N., & Markov, A. I. (2000, December). How to make courseware for schools interesting: New metaphors in educational multimedia. Paper presented at the International Workshop on Advanced Learning Technologies., Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Rieber, L., & Noah, D. (1997, April). Effect of gaming and visual metaphors on reflective cognition within computer-based simulations. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Montreal, QB, Canada.
Ryan, M.L. (2001). Beyond myth and metaphor – The case of narrative in digital media. The International Journal of Computer Game Research, 1(1). Retrieved January 9, 2008, from http://www.gamestudies.org/0101/ryan/
Salen, K., & Zimmerman, E. (2003). Rules of play: Game design fundamentals. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Tripathi, A. K. (2004, September). Book review, Community in the digital age, philosophy and practice (A. Feenberg & D. Barney, Eds.). Ubiquity, 5(28).
Walther, B. K. (2003). Playing and gaming reflections and classifications. The International Journal of Computer Game Research. Acknowledgement

These references have been extracted automatically and may have some errors. If you see a mistake in the references above, please contact info@editlib.org.

[1] Aarseth, E. (2000). Allegories of space: The question of spatiality in computer games. In M. Eskelinen & R. Koskimaa, (Eds.), Cybertext yearbook 2000. Jyväskylä, Finland: University of Jyväskylä.

[2] Ang, C. S. (2004). A game theoretical framework for multimedia learning. Unpublished master’s thesis, Multimedia University, Cyberjaya, Malaysia.

[3] Ang, C. S., & Rao, G. R. K. (2003, December). Theories of learning: A computer game perspective. Paper presented at the IEEE Fifth International Symposium on Multimedia Software Engineering, Taipei, Taiwan.

[4] Brandstatter, H. (1990). Emotions in everyday life situations: Time sampling of subjective experience. In F. Strack, M. Argyle, & N. Schwartz (Eds.), Subjective well-being: An interdisciplinary perspective. Oxford: Pergamon Press.

[5] Christopher, E. M. (1999). Simulations and games as subversive activities. Simulation and Gaming 30(4), 441-455.

[6] Colaizzi, P. (1978). Learning and existence. In R. S. Valled & M. King (Eds.), Existential-phenomenological alternatives for psychology. New York: Oxford Press.

[7] Crawford, C. (1982). The art of computer game design. Retrieved September 5, 2006, from http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/fac/peabody/game-book/Coverpage.html

[8] Crawford, C. (2003). On game design. Indianapolis, IN: New Riders.

[9] Frasca, G. (2001). Video games of the oppressed: Video games as means for critical thinking and debate. Unpublished master’s thesis, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta.

[10] Gee, J. P. (2003). What video games have to teach us about learning and literacy. New York: Palgrave/Macmillan.

[11] Grodal, T. K. (1997). Moving pictures. A new theory of film genres, feelings, and cognition. Oxford, UK: Clarendon Press.

[12] Hillis, K. (2000) Digital sensations: Space, identity, and embodiment in virtual reality. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press.

[13] Hoorn, J. (2003, May). Personification: Crossover between metaphor and fictional character in computer mediated communication. Paper presented at the International Communication Association Conference (Division: Information Systems, Section: Innovative Research in New Media), San Diego, CA.

[14] Ihde, D. (2002). Bodies in technology. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press. Jenkins, H. (2002). Game design as narrative architecture. In P. Harrington & N. Frup-Waldrop (Eds.), First person. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

[15] Jones, M. G. (1997, February). Learning to play, playing to learn: Lessons learned from computer games. Paper presented at the Association for Educational Communications and Technology, Albuquerque, NM.

[16] Koster,R. (2005). A theory of fun for game design. Phoenix, AZ: Paraglyph Press. Kücklich, J. (2003, November). The playability of computer games versus the readability of computer games: Towards a holistic theory of fictionality. Proceedings of the Digital Games Research Association Conference, Level Up (pp. 100-107), University of Utrecht, The Netherlands. Laurel, B. (1993). Computers as theatre. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley Professional; Reprint edition. Malone, T. W. (1980, September). What makes things fun to learn? Heuristics for designing instructional computer games. Proceedings of the 3rd ACM SIGSMALL Symposium and the First SIGPC Symposium on Small Systems (pp. 160-169), Palo Alto, CA.

[17] Mayer, R. H. (1999). Designing instruction for constructivist learning. In C. M. Reigeluth (Ed.), Instructional design theories and models: A new paradigm of instructional technology (Vol. II, pp. 141-160). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

[18] Morozov, M. N., & Markov, A. I. (2000, December). How to make courseware for schools interesting: New metaphors in educational multimedia. Paper presented at the International Workshop on Advanced Learning Technologies., Palmerston North, New Zealand.

[19] Rieber, L., & Noah, D. (1997, April). Effect of gaming and visual metaphors on reflective cognition within computer-based simulations. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Montreal, QB, Canada.

[20] Ryan, M.L. (2001). Beyond myth and metaphor – The case of narrative in digital media. The International Journal of Computer Game Research, 1(1). Retrieved January 9, 2008, from http://www.gamestudies.org/0101/ryan/

[21] Salen, K., & Zimmerman, E. (2003). Rules of play: Game design fundamentals. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

[22] Tripathi, A. K. (2004, September). Book review, Community in the digital age, philosophy and practice (A. Feenberg & D. Barney, Eds.). Ubiquity, 5(28).

[23] Walther, B. K. (2003). Playing and gaming reflections and classifications. The International Journal of Computer Game Research. Acknowledgement

Computer Game Theories for Designing Motivating Educational Software: A Survey Study

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