First Advisor

Steven Thorne

Date of Award

Spring 6-13-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Applied Linguistics and University Honors

Department

Applied Linguistics

Language

English

Subjects

Game based learning, gamification, serious games, game design, playful learning, games and education

DOI

10.15760/honors.1727

Abstract

Game-based learning (GBL) in its development as a field has found itself at an ever-increasing complexity with regard to theories, design elements, and outcomes that define it. It's been long since proven that games produce learning and the ways in which this benefits educators and designers have broad applications, from direct game implementation to integrating GBL knowledge into non-game spaces. The density and complexity of design in GBL prove beneficial for learning opportunities, as the adaptability of design can create an almost infinite series of outcomes in a highly replicable manner. In this broad review, I attempt to display the ways in which elements across and within the field of GBL work in an interdependent system to produce learning. This serves either as an introduction to the field or a comprehensive summary for those familiar with it. Focusing on all elements of GBL in context with each other helps to explain and understand the exchanges that are constantly being made in the educational and design processes. As a subfield of educational research, the game design aspect adds another layer of systems making the question of what produces learning increasingly difficult to identify. Also prevalent are the issues in regard to financial and structural restrictions when making use of GBL technologies in classrooms as they are developed. This said, there are still a series of unexplored opportunities for research designs and interdisciplinary interactions that provide increasing opportunities to make use of successful and creative opportunities to engage learners in education.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/43834

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