Investigating the impact of video games on high school students’ engagement and learning about genetics
Computers & EducationPublished 24 February 2009
Leonard A. Annetta, James Minogue, Shawn Holmes, Meng‐Tzu Cheng
Citations636
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score3.34
SNIP4.18
Generate an AI Snapshot to get a quick, structured summary of this paper.
Study Snapshot
ObjectiveStudy objective
MethodsResearch methodology
PopulationPopulation studied
Sample sizeSample sizes
OutcomesStudy outcomes here
ResultsStudy results comes here
LimitationsResearch study limitations comes here
A concise AI-generated summary of the paper will appear here once you click Generate AI Snapshot.
TL;DR
This quasi-experimental study evaluated a teacher created video game on genetics in terms of its affective and cognitive impact on student users and found no differences in student learning as measured by the instrument.
Abstract
The popularity of video games has transcended entertainment crossing into the world of education. While the literature base on educational gaming is growing, there is still a lack of systematic study of this emerging technology’s efficacy. This quasi-experimental study evaluated a teacher created video game on genetics in terms of its affective and cognitive impact on student users. While statistical results indicated no differences (p > .05) in student learning as measured by our instrument, there were significant differences (p < .05) found in the participants’ level of engagement while interfacing with the video game. Implications on this emerging line of inquiry are discussed.
Keywords
PsychologySocial SciencesComputer Science
Journal of Policy Analysis and ManagementFrames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences
13,726 Citations1984Robert Klitgaard, Howard Gardner
The Tenth Anniversary Edition of Intelligence explains the development of intelligence in the 21st Century through the applications of language, linguistics, mathematics, and more.
How to Design and Evaluate Research in Education
13,426 Citations1990Jack R. Fraenkel, Norman E. Wallen
This chapter discusses the research methodologies used in Qualitative and Qualitative Research, as well as some of the techniques used in quantitative and qualitative research.
Review of Educational ResearchSchool Engagement: Potential of the Concept, State of the Evidence
11,782 Citations2004Jennifer A. Fredricks, Phyllis C. Blumenfeld +1 more
Education + TrainingWhat Video Games Have to Teach Us about Learning and Literacy
6,693 Citations2004
Educational Psychology ReviewCognitive Architecture and Instructional Design
5,573 Citations1998John Sweller, Jeroen J. G. van Merriënboer +1 more
Mental Representations: A Dual Coding Approach
5,042 Citations1986Allan Paivio
This book discussesMeta-Theoretical Issues and Perspectives, a meta-theoreticalPrinciples of Representation, and its Applications, a Practical Guide to Bilingual Cognitive Representation.
Human Problem Solving
4,923 Citations1972Allen Newell
Cambridge University Press eBooksThe Cambridge Handbook of the Learning Sciences
4,590 Citations2005R. Keith Sawyer, R. Keith Sawyer +23 more
Educational PsychologistNine Ways to Reduce Cognitive Load in Multimedia Learning
4,060 Citations2003Richard E. Mayer, Roxana Moreno
The analysis shows that cognitive load is a central consideration in the design of multimedia instruction because it exceeds the learner's available cognitive capacity.
Encyclopedia of Education and Information TechnologiesDigital Game-Based Learning
2,910 Citations2020Arthur Tatnall
The broad-based "Digital Game-Based Learning" phenomenon includes pre-schoolers learning the alphabet and reading through computer games, and military trainees fighting realistic battles in videogame-like simulators.
Educational PsychologistCognitive Load Theory and Instructional Design: Recent Developments
2,822 Citations2003Fred Paas, Alexander Renkl +1 more
Cognitive load theory (CLT) is a major theory providing a framework for investigations into cognitive processes and instructional design, and by simultaneously considering the structure of information and the cognitive architecture that allows learners to process that information, cognitive load theorists have been able to generate a unique variety of new and sometimes counterintuitive instructional designs and procedures.
Educational PsychologistCognitive Load Measurement as a Means to Advance Cognitive Load Theory
2,398 Citations2003Fred Paas, Juhani E. Tuovinen +2 more
Soviet PsychologyPlay and Its Role in the Mental Development of the Child
2,392 Citations1967L. S. Vygotsky
Introduction to Measurement Theory
1,978 Citations1979Mary J. Allen
PRESENCE Virtual and Augmented RealityThe Demographics, Motivations, and Derived Experiences of Users of Massively Multi-User Online Graphical Environments
1,273 Citations2006Nick Yee
An exploratory factor analysis revealed a five factor model of user motivations—Achievement, Relationship, Immersion, Escapism, and Manipulation—illustrating the multifaceted appeal of these online environments.
School Psychology QuarterlyStudent engagement in high school classrooms from the perspective of flow theory.
1,211 Citations2003David J. Shernoff, Mihály Csíkszentmihályi +2 more
Educational Technology Research and DevelopmentMaking learning fun: Quest Atlantis, a game without guns
952 Citations2005Sasha A. Barab, Michael K. Thomas +3 more
The Quest Atlantis (QA) project is described, a learning and teaching project that employs a multiuser, virtual environment to immerse children, ages 9–12, in educational tasks.
E-Learning and Digital MediaLearning by Design: Good Video Games as Learning Machines
825 Citations2005James Paul Gee
The author discusses 13 principles of learning built into successful games under the headings of ‘Empowered Learners’, ‘Problem Solving’ and ‘Understanding” and concludes that the main impediment to implementing these principles in formal education is cost.
Medical Entomology and ZoologyEye movements and visual cognition : scene perception and reading
504 Citations2011Keith Rayner
Cambridge University Press eBooksMotivation and Cognitive Engagement in Learning Environments
451 Citations2005Phyllis C. Blumenfeld, Toni M. Kempler +1 more
International Journal of Science EducationStudents' understanding of the role of scientific models in learning science
403 Citations2002David F. Treagust, Gail Chittleborough +1 more
European Journal of Psychology of EducationExtracting information from an animation during complex visual learning
371 Citations1999Richard Lowe
Educational Psychology ReviewCommentary: Towards an Integrated View of Learning from Text and Visual Displays
369 Citations2002Wolfgang Schnotz
Effective learning with visuo-spatial text adjuncts can be fostered by instructional design and by adequate processing strategies, both dependent on sufficient understanding of how the human cognitive system interacts with these displays.
Journal of Experimental Psychology AppliedA model of the perceptual and conceptual processes in graph comprehension.
358 Citations1998Patricia A. Carpenter, Priti Shah
A model of the comprehension of line graphs that emphasizes the close interaction between conceptual processes, such as interpreting labels and scales, and perceptual processes,such as encoding and interpreting the slopes and patterns of the lines themselves is proposed.
The EDUCAUSE quarterly/EDUCAUSE quarterlyPlanning for Neomillennial Learning Styles
329 Citations2005Chris Dede
Higher education institutions can prosper by using emerging technologies to deliver instruction matched to the increasingly “neomillennial” learning styles of their students, based on “mediated immersion.”
Higher Education Research & DevelopmentMeasurement and analysis of student engagement in university classes where varying levels of PBL methods of instruction are in use
328 Citations2005Stephanie Ahlfeldt, Sudhir Mehta +1 more
Learning and InstructionDynamic visualizations and learning: getting to the difficult questions
323 Citations2004Mary Hegarty
Recent advances in information technology and graphics have made it possible to produce powerful visualizations of scientific phenomena and more abstract information that allow students to browse the information in any order, rather than being constrained by the linear ordering of information in printed books.
Journal of Biological EducationInvestigation of students' cognitive structure in elementary genetics through word association tests
322 Citations1999Mehmet Bahar, A. H. Johnstone +1 more
A word association test was used to map the cognitive structure of areas of elementary genetics in first-year biology students and showed that the students generated many ideas related to given key words, however, they did not appear to see the overall picture as a network of related ideas.
International Journal of Science EducationGenes, chromosomes, cell division and inheritance - do students see any relationship?
312 Citations2000Jenny M. Lewis, Colin Wood‐Robinson
The current approach to science education does not appear to provide an effective preparation for students - either for future training as scientists or for interactions with science in their personal life.
HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe)A framework for pedagogical evaluation of virtual learning environments
309 Citations2004Sandy Britain, Oleg Liber
The report concludes that among factors slowing the integration of VLEs in higher education institutions is the lack of a coherent framework within which to evaluate both the pedagogical benefits and the organizational changes required to effectively implement it.
British Journal of Educational TechnologyGaming in a 3D multiuser virtual environment: engaging students in Science lessons
250 Citations2006Cher Ping Lim, Darren Anthonio Marino Nonis +1 more
The biggest challenges to the integration of QA into the Science curriculum were the interdependent issues of time (or lack of it) and ‘buy-in’ by the school and parents.
Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesA resource model of the neural basis of executive working memory
244 Citations2000Silvia A. Bunge, Torkel Klingberg +2 more
Dual-task performance activated frontal-lobe areas to a greater extent than performance of either task in isolation, but no new area was activated beyond those activated by either component task.
AJP Advances in Physiology EducationBlending problem-based learning with Web technology positively impacts student learning outcomes in acid-base physiology
233 Citations2005Sunčana Kukolja Taradi, Milan Taradi +2 more
Student progress in the blended WBL-PBL-collaborative learning environment was positively affected by the use of technology.
Towards an Integrated View of Learning From Text and Visual Displays
232 Citations2002Wolfgang Schnotz
Current Trends in Educational Technology Research: The Study of Learning Environments
187 Citations2002William Winn
This paper reviews research on learning environments to give both an historical perspective on educational technology research and a view of the current state of the discipline by identifying implications for both practice and future research.
Educational Psychology ReviewResearch into Practice: Current Trends in Educational Technology Research: The Study of Learning Environments
162 Citations2002William Winn
Research on learning environments is reviewed to give both an historical perspective on educational technology research and a selective view of the current state of the discipline to identify implications for both practice and future research.
Learning and InstructionDiscovery learning, representation, and explanation within a computer-based simulation: finding the right mix
162 Citations2004Lloyd P. Rieber, Shyh-Chii Tzeng +1 more
Results showed significant differences for both the use of the explanations and simulations containing graphical feedback in helping participants gain both implicit and explicit understanding of the science principles.
International Journal of Science EducationBridging Realty to Virtual Reality: Investigating gender effect and student engagement on learning through video game play in an elementary school classroom
161 Citations2008Leonard A. Annetta, Jennifer Mangrum +3 more
Observations and qualitative focus groups suggested high student engagement and how video game technology can scaffold learning of simple machines.
Journal of Biological EducationAttempting to break the code in student comprehension of genetic concepts
156 Citations2001Gili Marbach‐Ad
Alternative conceptions and compartmentalisation between related concepts were identified and genetic instruction in 9th and 12th grade and in college needs improvement.
Computers in the SchoolsDigital Game-Based Learning
137 Citations2014William Sadera, Qing Li +2 more
This special issue of Computers in the Schools focuses on digital game-based learning and consists of six outstanding articles, which provide readers with examples of game- based learning in practice, as well as discussion of game features that optimize learning opportunities.
Multisensory Immersion as a Modeling Environment for Learning Complex Scientific Concepts
136 Citations1999Chris Dede, Marilyn Salzman +2 more
Educational Psychology ReviewScientific Inquiry in Educational Multi-user Virtual Environments
119 Citations2007Brian C. Nelson, Diane Jass Ketelhut
A review of research into the problems of implementing authentic scientific inquiry curricula in schools and the emerging use of educational Multi-User Virtual Environments to support interactive scientific inquiry practices suggests that future large-scale research should investigate the extent to which MUVE-based inquiry learning can be a viable substitute for the activities involved in real-world inquiry.
Science EducationUnderstanding a basic biological process: Expert and novice models of meiosis
118 Citations1994Ann C. H. Kindfield
This article reports on the meiosis models utilized by five individuals at each of three levels of expertise in genetics as each reasoned about this process in an individual interview setting, revealing a set of biologically correct features common to all individuals' models as well as a variety of model flaws.
Instructional ScienceSupporting learning with interactive multimedia through active integration of representations
115 Citations2005Daniel Bodemer, Rolf Ploetzner +2 more
It is revealed that the active integration of static representations before processing dynamic visualisations resulted in better performance and can provide a basis for a more systematic and goal-oriented experimentation behaviour during simulation-based discovery learning.
The Electronic LibraryApplication of computer games in the field of education
104 Citations2002R. Jayakanthan
The paper will present the current scenarios of computer games being used for the purposes of education and training and dwell on areas in which the tremendous capabilities of computerGames as an education medium can be utilized in educating a new generation of students weaned on computer games.
Journal of Research in Science TeachingUnderstanding genetics: Analysis of secondary students' conceptual status
93 Citations2006Chi‐Yan Tsui, David F. Treagust
It was shown that status can be a viable hallmark enabling researchers to identify students' conceptual change that would otherwise be less accessible and suggested that multiple representations supported conceptual understanding of genetics but not in all students.
The EDUCAUSE quarterly/EDUCAUSE quarterlySerious Games: Incorporating Video Games in the Classroom.
93 Citations2006Leonard A. Annetta, Marshall R. Murray +3 more
Research in Science EducationGenetics Reasoning with Multiple External Representations
90 Citations2003Chi‐Yan Tsui, David F. Treagust
A case study of a class of Year 10 students whose learning of genetics involved activities of BioLogica, a computer program that features multiple external representations (MERs) indicated that the MERs contributed to students' development of genetics reasoning by engendering their motivation and interest but only when students were mindful in their learning.
IEEE SpectrumGames soldiers play
88 Citations2002Mike Macedonia
Commanders can now recreate on computer the complex choreography of thousands of soldiers, weapons, vehicles, and aircraft moving across a battlefield that extends over thousands of square kilometers, so military decision-makers can test strategic options before launching a campaign in earnest.
Journal of Research in Science TeachingEffect of bead and illustrations models on high school students' achievement in molecular genetics
81 Citations2006Yosi Rotbain, Gili Marbach‐Ad +1 more
It is concluded that, though it is advisable to use a three-dimensional model, such as the bead model, engaging students in activities with illustrations can still improve their achievement in comparison to traditional instruction.
Psychological ReviewA hybrid architecture for working memory: Reply to MacDonald and Christiansen (2002).
73 Citations2002Marcel Adam Just, Sashank Varma
The authors go on to describe how the symbolic and connectionist mechanisms within the hybrid 3CAPS architecture combine to produce a processing style that provides a good match to human sentence comprehension and other types of high-level cognition.
Learning and InstructionDynamic visualisations and learning
72 Citations2004Rolf Ploetzner, Richard Lowe
Educational TheoryPaying attention to attention: New economies for learning
72 Citations2004Suzanne de Castell, Jennifer Jenson
Journal of Research in Science TeachingResearch data necessary for meaningful review of grade ten high school genetics curricula
62 Citations1984Mark Hackling, David F. Treagust
Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesA resource model of the neural basis of executive working memory
60 Citations2000S.A. Bunge
Creating Electronic Learning Environments: Games, Flow, and the User Interface.
55 Citations1998Marshall G. Jones
A difficult task in creating rich, exploratory interactive learning environments is building an environment that is truly engaging, and a table shows the relationships among flow, games, and design of computer-based learning environments.
PsycEXTRA DatasetInstructional Characteristics and Motivational Features of a PC-based Game
44 Citations2004James Belanich, Daragh E. Sibley +1 more
The findings of the current research were specific to a single PC-based first-person-perspective game, but were in agreement with a broad range of research using other types of games and instructional media.
The American Biology TeacherManipulating the "Invisible": Learning Molecular Biology Using Inexpensive Models
32 Citations1996George M. Malacinski, Paul W. Zell
Mediating Science Learning through Information and Communications Technology
28 Citations2010Richard Holliman
This reader deals with changes in the ways in which science is taught and learnt due to developments in information and communication technology (ICT) (for example, the increased use in science of multimedia, web-based learning and Communication technology).
THE journalDeveloping a Mobile Learning Environment to Support Virtual Education Communities
22 Citations2005Barbara P. Heath, Russell L. Herman +4 more
Findings indicate that LCs in the sciences can have a direct, positive effect on students' decisions to pursue degrees in science or mathematics, as well as a major impact on retention.
Journal of educational multimedia and hypermediaMultimedia in a Science Learning Environment
16 Citations2005Sribhagyam Srinivasan, Steven M. Crooks
A review of the literature multimedia learning in science finds that multimedia as a learning tool is no better or no worse than the lecture method when the instructional objective requires only a recall of information.
Simulation & GamingAn assessment of a mixed reality environment: Toward an ethnomethodological approach
14 Citations2006Julie Dugdale, Nico Pallamin +1 more
A mixed reality environment for training a small group of firefighters, which takes into account emotions and nonverbal behaviors and the assessment of the environment was made up of three phases: assessing the virtual agents to gauge their expressiveness, assessing the contextual virtual environment to see if it provides the same decision-making support as that found in the real world.
School Science and MathematicsThe Effects of Embedded Monitoring and Regulating Devices on the Achievement of High School Students Learning Science From Text
10 Citations1997Pierce Farragher, Larry D. Yore
The American Biology TeacherA Hands-on Approach to Teaching about DNA Structure and Function
6 Citations1987Patsye Peebles, William H. Leonard
The format of the investigations was patterned after the Extending Discretion Approach (Leonard, 1980; 1981), but the steps are very specific in order to make sure the desired results are obtained.
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual MeetingTo Animate or Not to Animate, that is the Question
5 Citations1997Tracy D. Hutcheson, Richard F. Dillon +2 more
Animation presented together with voice narration in a computer presented tutorial did not facilitate learning when compared with a text and static graphics tutorial and there was a difference of 5 percent correct on quiz questions in favor of the animation group.
Integrating Technology in Program Development for Children/Youth with E/BD.
2 Citations2001Lynn K. Wilder, Sharon Black
This monograph highlights how educational technology can benefit students at risk of school failure, particularly students with emotional/behavioral disorders (E/BD) and uses technology in interventions for students with E/BD.