This paper reports the findings of an ongoing study of engagement in computer-based learning environments. The purpose of the study was to look at what engages people in computer games and to see how those patterns of engagement might be used within computer-based learning environments. The age of participants ranged from four to adulthood.…

The artifacts (instructional games) created by a class of fourth-grade students engaged in designing educational games are analyzed. To facilitate the analysis, these artifacts were compared with products created by students in a similar design context who were creating instructional software. In both situations, inner-city fourth graders were…

Discusses the relevance of computer games to the design of computer-based training materials. Highlights include intrinsic motivation and computer-based games; the cultural distinction between work and recreation; the transient motivational effect of games; the differences in use of computer systems; hypermedia authoring systems; and virtual…

Several research and design issues to be considered when creating educational software were identified by a field test evaluation of three types of innovative software created at Bank Street College: (1) Probe, software for measuring and graphing temperature data; (2) Rescue Mission, a navigation game that illustrates the computer's use for…

Explores elements of game design: entertainment, fantasy, nonthreatening reality, objectives, rules, opposition, hazards, outcomes; a rationale for using games in courseware; advantages of World Wide Web Instructional gaming: asynchronous learning opportunities, process data gathering, real-time interaction across geographically dispersed…

A difficult task in creating rich, exploratory interactive learning environments is building an environment that is truly engaging. Engagement can be defined as the nexus of intrinsic knowledge and/or interest and external stimuli that promote the initial interest in, and continued use of a computer-based learning environment. Complete and total…

This paper discusses the use of WebQuest, a World Wide Web-based multi-user game, in promoting learning motivation and navigation skills in K-9 students. WebQuest demonstrates ways to integrate games, Internet communication facilities, Web-based courseware, and database techniques together in order to assist learning. The following guidelines for…