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

Authors: Birgit Schmitz; Roland Klemke; Marcus Specht

Addresses: Centre for Learning Sciences and Technologies, Open University of The Netherlands, P.O. Box 2960, 6401 DL Heerlen, Valkenburgerweg 177, Heerlen, The Netherlands ' Centre for Learning Sciences and Technologies, Open University of The Netherlands, P.O. Box 2960, 6401 DL Heerlen, Valkenburgerweg 177, Heerlen, The Netherlands ' Centre for Learning Sciences and Technologies, Open University of The Netherlands, P.O. Box 2960, 6401 DL Heerlen, Valkenburgerweg 177, Heerlen, The Netherlands

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: mobile games; M-learning; mobile learning; mobile technologies; cellular communications; serious games; game design patterns; learning outcomes; gaming patterns; game mechanisms; motivation; knowledge gain; collaborative actions; augmented reality; technology enhanced learning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTEL.2012.051817

International Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning, 2012 Vol.4 No.5/6, pp.345 - 358

Received: 17 Mar 2012
Accepted: 05 Nov 2012
Published online: 31 Dec 2014 *

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