Title: Using game mechanisms to foster GBL designers' cooperation and creativity

Authors: Jean-Philippe Pernin; Christelle Mariais; Florence Michau; Valérie Emin-Martinez; Nadine Mandran

Addresses: Laboratoire d'Informatique de Grenoble, CNRS, 1251 av Centrale 38040 Grenoble cedex 9, France ' SYMETRIX, 34 Avenue de l'Europe, Grenoble, France ' Laboratoire d'Informatique de Grenoble, CNRS, 1251 av Centrale 38040 Grenoble cedex 9, France ' S2HEP – EA 4148, Institut Français de l'Education, – ENS Lyon, 15 parvis René-Descartes, BP 7000, 69342 Lyon cedex 07, France ' Laboratoire d'Informatique de Grenoble, CNRS, 1251 av Centrale 38040 Grenoble cedex 9, France

Abstract: This paper focuses on ScenLRPG, a method, based on a graphic formalism, for designing game-based learning systems in a vocational training context. We detail in Section 2 the theoretical background for our hypotheses on three properties such a method should provide: 1) supporting the elicitation of the game mechanisms so as to boost learner's motivation; 2) enabling a team of designers to collectively build a game-based learning scenario; 3) improving designers' creativity. Section 3 presents the ScenLRPG method and the different types of tool we have developed using this method. Section 4 presents an evaluation study performed using a tangible version of the method, based on a board game. The aim of this study was to test whether the method effectively favours designer collaboration and creativity, but also to gather the pros and cons of a board game-based design tool versus a computer-based environment. The final section is devoted to an analysis of the obtained results.

Keywords: vocational training; GBL; game-based learning; game mechanisms; role-playing games; learning design; design sketching; creativity; participatory design; evaluation study; intention-driven requirements engineering; game design; cooperation; learner motivation; collaborative design; board games; computer games.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLT.2014.064490

International Journal of Learning Technology, 2014 Vol.9 No.2, pp.139 - 160

Published online: 13 Sep 2014 *

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