Instructor Support in Collaborative Multiplayer Serious Games for Learning - Game Mastering in the Serious Game ’Woodment’
Key: WGGS14-1
Author: Viktor Wendel, Michael Gutjahr, Stefan Göbel, Ralf Steinmetz
Date: April 2014
Kind: In proceedings
Publisher: SciTePress
Book title: Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Computer Supported Education
Keywords: Serious Games, Collaborative Learning, CSCL, Game Mastering, Adaptation
Abstract: The fields of collaborative learning and Serious Gaming have been combined in recent years in the research of collaborative multiplayer Serious Games. A major drawback of digital collaborative learning scenarios is the fact that in small groups (3-6 users) the role of the instructor is vital as he/she is responsible for preparation of the setting, observation, coaching, moderation and adaptation. Currently, in multiplayer Serious Games, the role of the instructor is only insufficiently considered. Only very few approaches for integrating or supporting instructors in collaborative multiplayer Serious Games exist today, to the best of our knowledge. In this paper, we propose a concept for integration and support of instructors in team-based collaborative 3D multiplayer Serious Games. Our approach is based on Game Mastering principles known from roleplay games. It combines those principles with concepts for collaborative learning scenarios. We applied our concept to the existing 3D multiplayer Serious Game Woodment and tested it in a vocational school with four groups of players (age: m= 19.12; sd= 2.03). Results indicate that an instructor using our Game Master framework to moderate and adapt the game at runtime can have a positive effect on both the players’ learning success and perceived user experience. Moreover, a positive effect on players’ gaming behavior can be observed.
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