Game-based learning can be effective for increasing engagement and retention when certain principles are applied. These include using stories to provide context, challenges to motivate learning, and competition/cooperation between students. Providing continuous feedback throughout the learning process also reinforces skills. To maximize benefits, games should be embedded within the curriculum rather than used as standalone activities.

1. Game‐Based Learning
Twitter:@kkapp
By Karl M. Kapp
Bloomsburg University
July 21, 2013

2. Google “Kapp Notes”Google “Kapp Notes”
Book:
“The Gamification of Learning and Instruction”
Book:
“The Gamification of Learning and Instruction”
September 2011 Training Quarterly Article
Improving Training: Thinking Like a Game Developer
September 2011 Training Quarterly Article
Improving Training: Thinking Like a Game Developer
July 2011 T&D Article
Matching the Right Instruction to the Right Content
July 2011 T&D Article
Matching the Right Instruction to the Right Content

3. 1
Agenda
How do I use game-based
learning in the classroom?
How do you apply game-based strategies
to the presentation of learning content?
2
3
What are 3 principles for adding
serious games to learning curriculums?

4. 10,000 hrs of
Game play
13 hours
of console
games a
week
Digital divisions. Report by the Pew /Internet: Pew Internet & American Life.
US Department of Commerce
87% of 8- to 17-
year olds
play video games
at home.

5. Females play 5 hours a week of
console games. They make up the
majority of PC gamers at 63%.
Almost 43% of the
gamers are female
and 26% of those
females are over
18.
Digital divisions. Report by the Pew /Internet: Pew Internet & American Life.
US Department of Commerce

6. What Research Says
about
Games for Learning

7. Type of
Knowledge/
Retention
% Higher
Declarative 11%
Procedural 14%
Retention 9%
Percentages of Impact
Sitzmann, T. (2011) A meta‐analytic examination of the instructional effectiveness
of computer‐based simulation games. Personnel Psychology .Review of 65 studies

8. Type of
Knowledge/
Retention
% Higher
Declarative 11%
Procedural 14%
Retention 9%
Percentages of Impact
Sitzmann, T. (2011) A meta‐analytic examination of the instructional effectiveness
of computer‐based simulation games. Personnel Psychology .Review of 65 studies
It wasn’t the game, it was level
of activity in the game.
In other words, the engagement
of the learner in the game leads
to learning.

9. Sitzmann, T. (2011) A meta‐analytic examination of the instructional effectiveness
of computer‐based simulation games. Personnel Psychology .
20% higher
confidence levels.
Simulation/games build more confidence for
on the job application of learned knowledge
than classroom instruction.

10. A math facts game deployed on a handled computer
encouraged learners to complete greater number of
problems at an increased level of difficulty.
Learners playing the handheld game completed
nearly 3 times the number of problems in 19 days
and voluntarily increased the level of difficulty.
Lee, J., Luchini, K., Michael, B., Norris, C., & Soloway, E. (2004). More than just fun and games:
Assessing the value of educational video games in the classroom. Paper presented at the CHI '04
Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems, Vienna, Austria.

11. ..it’s the instructional methods and
not the delivery system that
provides the active ingredients for
learning…in a game/simulation.
‐‐Jeanne Farrington

13. Recommendations
1) Use a game/simulation to provide a context for the learning.
2) Embed the game in the curriculum.
3) Carefully craft the simulation/game to provide opportunities
to increase engagement and interactivity to increase
learning.

14. Use game-based mechanics,
aesthetics and game thinking to
engage people, motivate action,
promote learning, and solve
problems.
Gamification

15. Elements of
Games that Aid
Learning
• Story
• Character
• Recognition
• Levels
• Challenges
• Chance
• Replayability
• Aesthetics
• Time
• Continual Feedback

16. Elements of
Games that Aid
Learning
• Story
• Character
• Recognition
• Levels
• Challenges
• Chance
• Replayability
• Aesthetics
• Time
• Continual Feedback
NOT Enough Time 

17. Four
Elements of
Games that Aid
Learning
1. Tell a Story
2. Provide a Challenge
3. Competition and
Cooperation
4. Feedback

18. Tell a Story

19. Researchers have found that the
human brain has a natural affinity for
narrative construction.
Yep, People tend to remember facts
more accurately if they encounter
them in a story rather than in a list.
And they rate legal arguments as more
convincing when built into narrative
tales rather than on legal precedent.
Carey, B. (2007) this is Your Life (and How You Tell it). The New York Times. Melanie
Green http://www.unc.edu/~mcgreen/research.html

20. 1. Characters
Story Elements
5. Conclusion
2. Plot (something has to happen).
3. Tension
4. Resolution

21. NikePlus Stats for Karl

23. Challenge and Consolidation– Good games offer players a set
of challenging problems and then let them solve these problems
until they have virtually routinized or automated their solutions.
Games then throw a new class of problem at the players requiring
them to rethink their now, taken-for-granted mastery, learn
something new, and integrate this new learning into their old
mastery.
James Paul Gee,
University of Wisconsin-Madison

24. Provide a challenge
Jones, B., Valdez, G., Norakowski, J., & Rasmussen, C. (1994). Designing learning and technology
for educational reform. North Central Regional Educational Laboratory. [Online]. Available:
http://www.ncrtec.org/capacity/profile/profwww.htm and Schlechty, P. C. (1997). Inventing
better schools: An action plan for educational reform. San Francisco, CA: Jossey‐Bass

25. Re‐design the Instruction to
Start with a Challenge

26. Recommendations
• Embed facts to be learned in the context of stories.
• Start the learning process by providing a challenge to
the learner.
• Use stories that are related to the context of the
desired learning outcome.

27. Competition and Cooperation

28. In the Classroom
• Form students into companies (teams)
• Provide Request for Proposal
• Students develop:
– 40 page proposal
– Working Prototype
– Sales Presentation

31. Feedback

33. Games like The Sims provide feedback on
many dimensions which provide
opportunities to consider tradeoffs and
higher level cognitive thinking.

34. Level One: Talking with the
receptionist.

35. Level Two: Talking with the nurse
gatekeeper.

36. Level Three: Talking with the
physician.

37. Level One:
Demonstration

38. Practice
Level Two:
Guided
Practice

39. Level Three:
Performance
Assessment

43. Recommendations
• Provide feedback on several dimensions.
• Use feedback to help change behavior.
• Discussion of feedback aids the learning
process.
• Feedback should be continuous throughout
the learning process.

44. Learned Procedure

46. 1
Summary
Games/Simulations are effective
for learning because of learner
engagement.
Apply stories, competition & cooperation,
And feedback as effective game
elements to learning.
2
3
Embed games within a curriculum,
Not as stand alone elements..

47. Go ahead…jump in!

48. Questions/More Information
• Google Kapp Notes
– Recommended books
– Samples and Examples
• Email: kkapp@bloomu.edu
• Email: karlkapp@gmail.com
• Twitter: @kkapp
• Pinterest: Gamification Happenings
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gamificationLI
“The Gamification of Learning
and Instruction”