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Overview of Instructional Techniques to Facilitate Learning and Motivation of Serious Games

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Instructional Techniques to Facilitate Learning and Motivation of Serious Games

Part of the book series: Advances in Game-Based Learning ((AGBL))

Abstract

Computer games that are used for the purpose of learning, training, and instruction are often referred to as serious games. The last decade shows a huge increase in empirical studies investigating the learning effectiveness and motivational appeal of serious games. Recent meta-analyses show that serious games are effective compared to traditional instruction but that the effectiveness can be improved. This chapter explores which specific instructional techniques can further improve learning and increase motivation. We define instructional techniques as any adaptation of a feature of the game itself or in the context of the game that influences the selection of relevant information, the organization, and integration of that information and/or the intrinsic motivation of the player. The starting point is a meta-analysis conducted in 2013 that is updated and extended. The meta-analysis has a value-added approach and shows which game features can improve learning and/or increase motivation. The interpretation of the results will yield nine proven effective or promising instructional techniques in terms of learning and/or motivation. This set of nine techniques—content integration, context integration, assessment and adaptivity, level of realism, narration-based techniques, feedback, self-explanation and reflection, collaboration and competition, and modeling—form the basis of this volume, which is closed by a reflection chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3512 JE, The Netherlands

    Pieter Wouters & Herre van Oostendorp

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  1. Pieter Wouters
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  2. Herre van Oostendorp
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Correspondence to Herre van Oostendorp .

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  1. Utrecht University, Utretcht, The Netherlands

    Pieter Wouters

  2. Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Herre van Oostendorp

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Wouters, P., van Oostendorp, H. (2017). Overview of Instructional Techniques to Facilitate Learning and Motivation of Serious Games. In: Wouters, P., van Oostendorp, H. (eds) Instructional Techniques to Facilitate Learning and Motivation of Serious Games. Advances in Game-Based Learning. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39298-1_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39298-1_1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-39296-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-39298-1

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