Effects of mobile gaming patterns on learning outcomes: a literature review

Within the past decade, a growing number of educational scientists have started to recognise the multifaceted potential that mobile learning games have as a tool for learning and teaching. This paper presents a review of current research on the topic to better understand game mechanisms with regard to learning outcomes. The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, we introduce a framework of analysis which is based on previous work on game design patterns for mobile games and on learning outcomes. The framework focuses on two aspects, motivation and knowledge gain. Second, we present a set of patterns which we identified in the literature and that positively influence these two aspects. Our results support the general assumption that mobile learning games have potential to enhance motivation. It reveals that game mechanisms such as Collaborative Actions or Augmented Reality provide incentive to get engaged with learning and/or a certain topic. With regard to knowledge gain, results are less comprehensive.

[1]  Michael Herczeg,et al.  Mobile Co-operative Game-based Learning with Moles: Time Travelers in Medieval , 2008 .

[2]  Wilfried Admiraal,et al.  The concept of flow in collaborative game-based learning , 2011, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[3]  Rafael Ballagas,et al.  REXplorer: Using player-centered iterative design techniques for pervasive game development , 2007 .

[4]  Detlev Leutner,et al.  Lehren und Lernen : Einfuehrung in die Instruktionspsychologie , 2007 .

[5]  Marina Ismail,et al.  Discover Mathematics on Mobile Devices using Gaming Approach , 2010 .

[6]  Wilfried Admiraal,et al.  Storification in History education: A mobile game in and about medieval Amsterdam , 2009, Comput. Educ..

[7]  Ernest Adams,et al.  Fundamentals of Game Design , 2006 .

[8]  Gerhard Schwabe,et al.  Mobile learning with a mobile game: design and motivational effects , 2005, J. Comput. Assist. Learn..

[9]  Max Bramer,et al.  Artificial Intelligence in Theory and Practice II , 2009 .

[10]  Marvin V. Zelkowitz,et al.  Experimental Models for Validating Technology , 1998, Computer.

[11]  Roland Klemke,et al.  Effects of Game Design Patterns on Basic Life Support Training Content , 2013, J. Educ. Technol. Soc..

[12]  Namsoo Shin,et al.  Effects of Handheld Games on Students Learning in Mathematics , 2006, ICLS.

[13]  Antonella De Angeli,et al.  Explore! possibilities and challenges of mobile learning , 2008, CHI.

[14]  Chris Dede,et al.  Affordances and Limitations of Immersive Participatory Augmented Reality Simulations for Teaching and Learning , 2009 .

[15]  Adam Thomas Carstens,et al.  Get ready for the gamer generation , 2005 .

[16]  Amy Bass,et al.  In the Game , 2005 .

[17]  Chih-Ming Chen,et al.  Interactive Location-Based Game for Supporting Effective English Learning , 2009, 2009 International Conference on Environmental Science and Information Application Technology.

[18]  John Cook,et al.  Mobile Phones as Mediating Tools within Augmented Contexts for Development , 2010, Int. J. Mob. Blended Learn..

[19]  B. Bloom.  Taxonomy of educational objectives , 1956 .

[20]  Otto Petrovic,et al.  Pervasive learning games: A comparative study , 2007, New Rev. Hypermedia Multim..

[21]  Tom Vander Ark.  Toward Success at Scale. , 2002 .

[22]  Jaime Sánchez,et al.  Problem solving and collaboration using mobile serious games , 2011, Comput. Educ..

[23]  K. Squire.  From Information to Experience: Place-Based Augmented Reality Games as a Model for Learning in a Globally Networked Society , 2010, Teachers College Record: The Voice of Scholarship in Education.

[24]  Nawaz Mohamudally.  A Massive Multiplayer Game Framework for Mobile Learning , 2006 .

[25]  Begoña Gros,et al.  Digital Games in Education , 2007 .

[26]  Staffan Björk,et al.  Pirates: proximity-triggered interaction in a multi-player game , 2001, CHI Extended Abstracts.

[27]  Starčević Dušan,et al.  Mobile educational game: adventure anywhere , 2009, MobileHCI 2009.

[28]  Kurt Squire,et al.  Environmental Detectives—the development of an augmented reality platform for environmental simulations , 2008 .

[29]  Mads Haahr,et al.  Design and evaluation of player experience of a location-based mobile game , 2010, NordiCHI.

[30]  Tsung-Yu Liu,et al.  Using ubiquitous games in an English listening and speaking course: Impact on learning outcomes and motivation , 2010, Comput. Educ..

[31]  Paul Drijvers,et al.  MobileMath: exploring mathematics outside the classroom , 2010 .

[32]  Mark Warnes,et al.  Designing Mobile Games for Learning: The mGBL Approach , 2009 .

[33]  David S. Kirk,et al.  Savannah: mobile gaming and learning? , 2004, J. Comput. Assist. Learn..

[34]  Jerry Swan,et al.  AnswerTree – a hyperplace-based game for collaborative mobile learning , 2009 .

[35]  SpechtMarcus,et al.  Effects of mobile gaming patterns on learning outcomes , 2012 .

[36]  J. Foley,et al.  Exergames Get Kids Moving , 2011 .

[37]  Eric Klopfer,et al.  Augmented Learning: Research and Design of Mobile Educational Games , 2008 .

[38]  Davinia Hernández Leo,et al.  4SPPIces: A case study of factors in a scripted collaborative-learning blended course across spatial locations , 2012, Int. J. Comput. Support. Collab. Learn..

[39]  Alf Inge Wang,et al.  An Evaluation of a Mobile Game Concept for Lectures , 2008, 2008 21st Conference on Software Engineering Education and Training.

[40]  Steffi Domagk,et al.  Exer-Learning Games: Transferring Hopscotch from the Schoolyard to the Classroom , 2010, IFIP AI.

[41]  Manuel Contero,et al.  A 3D Educational Mobile Game to Enhance Student's Spatial Skills , 2010, 2010 10th IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies.

[42]  Eric Rosenbaum,et al.  On Location Learning: Authentic Applied Science with Networked Augmented Realities , 2007 .

[43]  Erkki Sutinen,et al.  Where is the answer?: the importance of curiosity in pervasive mobile games , 2007, Future Play.

[44]  Jacqueline Carroll,et al.  Get Real , 2004 .

[45]  Vivian Hsueh-hua Chen,et al.  Ubiquitous games for learning (UbiqGames): Weatherlings, a worked example , 2012, J. Comput. Assist. Learn..

[46]  Nikoleta Yiannoutsou,et al.  "Playing with" museum exhibits: designing educational games mediated by mobile technology , 2009, IDC.

[47]  Wilfried Admiraal,et al.  Mobile game-based learning in secondary education: engagement, motivation and learning in a mobile city game , 2009, J. Comput. Assist. Learn..

[48]  Roland Klemke,et al.  Design patterns for learning games , 2011 .

[49]  Harri Ketamo,et al.  Exploring the Learning Mechanism in Educational Games , 2007, 2007 29th International Conference on Information Technology Interfaces.

[50]  Mark Stansfield,et al.  An alternate reality game for language learning: ARGuing for multilingual motivation , 2011, Comput. Educ..