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Learn-to-learn: game-based learning for metacognition

If we want game-based learning to make learning enjoyable as well as effective and efficient, we need to increase learner's awareness of and ability in learning itself. At the heart of learning is metacognition: a learner's understanding of how knowledge is constructed through learning, and the repertoire of strategies, tactics, and monitoring processes that enact learning. The goal of this PhD research is to inform designers and researchers who want to support and improve metacognition of learners within game-based learning environments, by identifying, implementing, and evaluating generic design principles for metacognitive interventions.

Predisposition of In-Service Teachers to Use Game-Based Pedagogy

Digital game-based learning (DGBL) can be regarded as a promising teaching pedagogy to prepare students for challenges of the 21st century. However, the incorporation of digital games into K-12 curricula remains limited. Research suggests that a comprehensive understanding of barriers and motivational factors that teachers face when implementing DGBL is needed to ensure that teachers can receive the support required. To delineate suggestions for tailored curricula on game-based pedagogy in teacher education programs, we conducted a study to gain insight into in-service teachers’ perception of DGBL in relation to their previous experience in teaching with DGBL. To achieve our goal, we examined the factors that impede and promote the implementation of DGBL among in-service teachers who are presently pursuing master's level education programs, having in mind that this group of teachers is different from pre-service teachers. Data was collected using an online survey with open- and closed-ended questions. The sample consisted of in-service teachers (n=37) who were enrolled in a master’s course in math education. The data analysis conducted was of a qualitative nature. One significant finding derived from this study is that the level of pedagogical experience in utilizing games as a teaching tool appears to be a crucial factor in understanding the inclination of in-service teachers towards game-based pedagogy. Pedagogical factors were mentioned by teachers at all stages of experience with DGBL, and differences were observed between teachers at different stages. For instance, in-service teachers with experience with DGBL (intermediate and advanced stages) were concerned about being able to maintain focus on the math concepts, the need to adapt the game lesson to students, and the ways to evaluate student learning less experienced teachers were essentially concerned about ways to control the classroom during DGBL and whether the pupils would receive adequate practice in this learning mode. Differences were also noted for other factors between teachers at different stages. Advanced stage teachers did have concerns about game appropriateness for the intended learning; teachers with less experience were concerned about the lack of games (technical factors). Dealing with an existing curriculum and high workload were common aspects for teachers with no or some experience but only teachers with some experience mentioned obstacles related to school organization (structural factors). Teachers with few and some experience referred to the lack of knowledge and competence (personal factors) and that pupils would not take the lessons with games seriously (social factors). This research supports DGBL- practice (i) by adding new knowledge on the factors that can support or constrain the integration of DGBL and its implications for the development of curricula on game-based pedagogy; (ii) by providing suggestions to design and implement meaningful curricula on digital game-based pedagogy for teaching education and training programs.

Development of a Design Framework for Metacognition in Game-Based Learning

Learner metacognition can positively impact learning. However, little is known about how to effectively design game-based learning environments such that metacognition is promoted in learners. Previous research does not provide sufficiently structured and empirically verified insights for designers and researchers to make informed design decisions. This paper describes the development of a design framework for metacognition in game-based learning. The framework is derived from existing literature and cases, and further elaborated through a formative expert evaluation. For instruction, gameplay, and the integration of both, the resulting framework defines specific design dimensions that indicate the relevant areas in which informed design-decisions are likely to affect learners' metacognition. As such, this framework aids specification of designs, structured comparisons between different designs, and focused research effort in identifying specific design guidelines for metacognition in game-based learning.

Game-Based Learning to Elicit and Improve Value Creation in Learning Communities

Recent advances in digital technologies profoundly influence our daily lives and work. While enabling solutions to societal issues, these technologies also demand new knowledge and skills from professionals. An increasingly common way for organizations to address this issue is to set up learning communities as a space in which (future) professionals of different backgrounds can work, learn, and innovate together. The CLIC-IT project explores how public-private learning communities can foster learning, collaboration, and innovation among participants and develop supportive methods and tools. One challenge faced by learning communities is making value creation and impact visible and enhancing it. To facilitate a dialogue on value creation and the mechanisms that produce value, we developed a serious board game. The game allows learning community participants to identify individual and collective mechanisms ofvalue creation and fosters discussion on the collaboration’s value. The workshopincludes a brief introduction, followed by gameplay to experience the game’s potential firsthand. Subsequently, the game experience will be discussed, and feedback will be collected to use for further refinement. Participants will walk away with an increased sense of the underlying mechanisms for value creation in interorganizational collaborations and new ideas to advance value creation in their own projects.

Designing Game-Based Learning for Training Metacognition

Towards a Framework for Metacognition in Game-Based Learning

Game-based learning can motivate learners and help them to acquire new knowledge in an active way. However, it is not always clear for learners how to learn effectively and efficiently within game-based learning environments. As metacognition comprises the knowledge and skills that learners employ to plan, monitor, regulate, and evaluate their learning, it plays a key role in improving their learning in general. Thus, if we want learners to become better at learning through game-based learning, we need to investigate how metacognition can be integrated into the design of game-based learning environments.In this paper we introduce a framework that aids designers and researchers to formally specify the design of game-based learning environments encouraging metacognition. With a more formal specification of the metacognitive objectives and the way the training design and game design aims to achieve these goals, we can learn more through analysing and comparing different approaches. The framework consists of design dimensions regarding metacognitive outcomes, metacognitive training, and metacognitive game design. Each design dimension represents two opposing directions for the design of a game-based learning environment that are likely to affect the encouragement of metacognitive awareness within learners. As such, we introduce a formalised method to design, evaluate and compare games addressing metacognition, thus enabling both researchers and designers to create more effective games for learning in the future.