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In recent years, there has been growing interest in the use of digital games to enhance teaching and learning at all educational levels, from early years through to lifelong learning, in formal and informal settings. The study of games and learning, however, takes a broader view of the relationship between games and learning, and has a diverse multi-disciplinary background.
Digital Games and Learning: Research and Theory provides a clear and concise critical theoretical overview of the field of digital games and learning from a cross-disciplinary perspective. Taking into account research and theory from areas as varied as computer science, psychology, education, neuroscience, and game design, this book aims to synthesise work that is relevant to the study of games and learning. It focuses on four aspects of digital games: games as active learning environments, games as motivational tools, games as playgrounds, and games as learning technologies, and explores each of these areas in detail.
This book is an essential guide for researchers, designers, teachers, practitioners, and policy makers who want to better understand the relationship between games and learning.
List of contents
Part 1: Introduction
Chapter 1
Overview
Chapter 2
Evaluating digital games for learning
Part 2: Games as active learning environments
Chapter 3
Games as meaningful challenges
Chapter 4
Games as authentic contexts
Chapter 5
Games as social interactions
Part 3: Games as motivational tools
Chapter 6
Games as engaging events
Chapter 7
Games as designed enjoyment
Chapter 8
Games as reward mechanisms
Part 4: Games as playgrounds
Chapter 9
Games as protected play
Chapter 10
Games as experimental spaces
Chapter 11
Games as other worlds
Part 5: Games as learning technologies
Chapter 12
Games as interactive systems
Chapter 13
Games as digital habitats
Chapter 14
Games as multi-sensory experiences
Part 6: Conclusion
Chapter 15
The future of games and learning
About the author
Nicola Whitton works as a Senior Research Fellow at Manchester Metropolitan University. She holds a doctorate in the use of educational games for learning and her research focuses on the relationship between games, play and learning. More broadly, her research interests encompass learning and teaching innovation and the use of rich media and technology for learning.
