Game Design as a Complex Problem Solving Process

Mete Akcaoglu, Antonio P. Gutierrez, Charles B. Hodges, Philipp Sonnleitner, Antonio P. Gutierrez de Blume

Research output: Contribution to book or proceedingChapter

Abstract

Problem solving is one of the most essential skills for individuals to be successful at their daily lives and careers. When problems become complex, solving them involves identifying relationships among a multitude of interrelated variables, to achieve multiple different possible solutions. Teaching Complex Problem Solving (CPS) skills in formal education contexts is challenging. In this research, we examined if through an innovative game-design course middle school students improved in their CPS skills. Our results showed that students showed significant improvements in their CPS skills, especially in terms of system exploration, t(10) = 2.787, p = .019; system knowledge, t(10) = 2.437, p = .35; system application, t(10) = 2.472, p = .033. In addition, there was a statistically significant change in students' interest for CPS after attending the GDL program, t(6) = 3.890, p = .008. We discuss implications regarding use of game-design tasks as contexts to teach CPS skills in formal and informal educational contexts.

Original languageAmerican English
Title of host publicationHandbook of Research on Serious Games for Educational Applications (Advances in Game-Based Learning)
StatePublished - Aug 1 2016

Keywords

  • Utility value
  • Interest
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Opaque
  • Polytelic

DC Disciplines

  • Educational Administration and Supervision
  • Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research
  • Educational Leadership

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Game Design as a Complex Problem Solving Process'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this