Connecting Game and Instructional Design Through Development

The challenge when creating digital game-based learning applications is to simultaneously consider and satisfy theory and practice in the fields of both game and instructional design in order to construct successful learning games. A concern often raised about this process is that emphasis on game design will result in a lack of learning opportunities in the game and focus on instruction will produce a game that lacks fun and engagement. We believe finding the common elements in these design processes can begin to bridge this perceived gap between game and instructional design. To gain a shared understanding of methods and goals among project developers and construct a learning game that is enjoyable and educative, these processes should be connected within the context of development. In this paper, we discuss a current case study as a means towards understanding how game and instructional design can be connected through the development process.