Do Games for Learning Really Work?

There are many articles we could link to here that tackle this question that can hardly be answered by the lack of research in the field that really “proves” something.

Dr. Blunt just assembled the results from three recent studies that try to express the effectiveness of game-based learning or serious games.

You can download the word processor version here. Or view the HTML version clicking here.

He finishes his article presenting several ideas for future serious games research topics:

1. Several studies of other participants using other games.
2. Studies of COTS games that could easily be adapted to teaching.
3. Studies into why there is a positive relationship between learning and video games.
4. Studies into the costs of using COTS video games versus custom content video games.
5. Studies into the presentation of different learning styles in learning video games.
6. Studies into the parental acceptance of game-based learning.
7. Studies of business models (learning industry v gaming industry) to fully integrate game-based learning and pc-based simulations into e-learning companies.
8. Studies on what impact using game-based learning will have on academic programs focusing on Instructional Systems Design (ISD) majors such as how curriculum will have to change.
9. Studies to explore the relationship between attrition and video game-based learning.