The combination of game-based learning and STEM education has always been a hotbed of innovation, but new and advancing technologies are making it even more exciting as of late! From cutting-edge virtual reality experiences to cleverly designed mobile games, educators and game developers alike are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible when engaging students in STEM subjects. And the best part? Research is backing it up!
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We’ve scoured the web for the latest studies and reports to bring you the most compelling evidence that game-based learning is, in fact, a game-changer for STEM education. So buckle up and get ready to explore these studies on game-based learning and STEM – trust us, you won’t want to miss a single detail!
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By analyzing data from over 120 previous studies, the researchers from this study found that students who learned STEM subjects through educational games consistently outperformed those who learned through traditional methods. This study also looked at the impact of specific game design elements, revealing that students using games with extra features designed to support learning tended to do better than those using basic versions of the same games. Interestingly (but not surprisingly!), the researchers also note that game elements focused on educational content were more effective at boosting learning than those aimed at making the game more entertaining. These findings highlight the importance of carefully designing educational games to maximize their potential for promoting STEM learning and engagement!
This recent systematic literature review explores the growing trend of using digital game-based learning in STEM education and its impact on student motivation. Researchers analyzed 28 studies published between 2018 and 2023, focusing on the K-12 education system and universities. They found that educational games for digital learning and simulation technology are the most promising tools in STEM education research. Moreover, students’ prior gaming experience and knowledge of STEM subjects positively influence their motivation and engagement when learning through game-based learning. Overall, this study concludes that implementing educational games can significantly increase student interest and motivation in STEM education, and underscores the benefits of incorporating game-based learning into STEM curricula.
In this next study, researchers investigated the effectiveness of virtual reality game-based learning in enhancing STEM literacy among junior high school students. To accomplish this, they conducted a quasi-experimental study with two groups of 8th-grade students during the 2023-2024 academic year. The study focused on the impact of virtual reality on students’ STEM literacy in energy concepts, which consists of four components: science literacy, technology literacy, engineering literacy, and mathematic literacy. Results showed that students in the experimental group, who learned using VR, significantly outperformed those in the control group, who learned using traditional methods. Throughout this experiment, VR was found to be effective in enhancing students’ STEM literacy in energy concepts, with students in the experimental group showing a higher level of improvement compared to those in the control group.
This article discusses the design of a game-based learning environment called ARIN-561, which aims to teach artificial intelligence concepts to high school students. These scholars argue that game-based learning is an excellent fit for AI education because both game-playing and AI involve problem-solving skills. The game’s design is informed by insights from a previous cognitive interview study conducted at a STEM-focused private high school, which identified common challenges students face when learning AI concepts. ARIN-561 addresses these challenges by providing explicit scaffolding to help students understand abstract representations, parse problems in terms that AI systems can operate on, and apply their mathematical knowledge to AI problems.
The game’s narrative revolves around a scientist who crash-lands on an alien planet and must solve problems using AI knowledge to survive and uncover the planet’s mysteries. By playing the game, students learn about classical search algorithms, their strengths and weaknesses, and how to apply them in various scenarios. Researchers believe that this game-based learning approach can effectively prepare high school students with different levels of interest in AI, whether they become AI consumers, operators, or developers in the future.
This meta-analysis explored the effects of game-based learning on students’ computational thinking skills. Researchers from this study analyzed 28 effect sizes from 24 studies involving a total of 2,134 participants. The results showed that game-based learning had a significant positive impact on students’ computational thinking skills, with an effect size much larger than that of game-based learning on mathematics learning. The study also found that the effectiveness of game-based learning varied depending on factors such as the type of game, the duration of the intervention, and the cultural background of the students. Role-playing games and interventions lasting between four hours and one week showed the most significant benefits. Interestingly, the positive effects of educational games on computational thinking were more pronounced in collectivist cultures than in individualistic ones. These findings suggest that well-designed educational games can be a powerful tool for developing students’ computational thinking skills, and educators should consider factors such as game type, intervention duration, and cultural context when implementing game-based learning in their classrooms.
In this systematic review, scholars explored the use of online game-based learning in mathematics education among Generation Z students, encompassing primary, secondary, and higher education. Researchers found that incorporating online games in mathematics education offers numerous benefits, including making learning more enjoyable, engaging, and interactive for students. Online educational games support the development of creative and critical thinking skills in mathematics, allow students to practice and solve problems, and enhance their interest and achievement in the subject. Additionally, these games serve as learning portfolios, tracking students’ progress and outcomes. This study shows how game-based learning can transform the way students perceive and engage with mathematics, offering a dynamic and effective approach to fostering positive attitudes and improving learning outcomes across various mathematical concepts and skills.
This next study investigated the effectiveness of game-based learning in helping middle school students understand the concepts of bioaccumulation and biomagnification. The authors of this article used concept cartoons to assess students’ conceptual change before and after engaging in a game-based learning activity. They found that prior to the activity, most students had limited understanding of bioaccumulation (50%) or held partially accurate concepts without understanding biomagnification (49%). After participating in the game-based learning activity, students’ conceptual knowledge significantly improved, ranging from limited to accurate understanding of both bioaccumulation and biomagnification. The student participants in this study reported enjoying the learning activity and collaborating well with others. These findings go to show that educational games can be a powerful tool for promoting conceptual change in science education, helping students extend their understanding of complex topics in a fun and engaging way!
This final study set out to uncover the effects of a scaffolded game-based learning science unit that incorporated a virtual reality game component. Researchers focused on the acquisition of scientific knowledge among student groups with different motivation levels, comparing the learning outcomes between immersive VR and non-immersive desktop game modes. They found that students generally improved their understanding of targeted science concepts within the scaffolded game-based learning design.
Notably, students using the VR mode demonstrated greater gains in science knowledge compared to those using the non-immersive desktop version, and overall, students with low intrinsic motivation performed better when using VR. The study also revealed that the game-based learning curricular activities and scaffolds, such as reflection and discussion after gameplay, may have contributed to students’ learning gains. The repeated multimodal learning opportunities and the chance to learn through whole-body movements were identified as potential reasons for the immersive VR group’s superior performance.
Whew, that was quite the whirlwind tour of the latest and greatest research on game-based learning in STEM education! It’s always a thrill to dig into these studies and see the tangible impact that educational games are having on student engagement, motivation, and achievement. As an educational game developer, we’ve seen firsthand how the power of play can transform STEM learning, and it’s riveting to see more and more research backing up what we’ve suspected all along.
With 18 years of experience in our industry, Filament is uniquely positioned to help bring your STEM game vision to life. Ready to harness the power of game-based learning for your STEM education needs? Get in touch with us today for a free consultation!
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