Game-based learning integration (GBLI) is the idea of inserting educational questions into the gameplay loops of video games. GBLI allows students to learn their academic material while progressing in video games.

For example, in a role-playing game, a student would need to answer academic questions correctly to unlock an item, ability, level, resource, etc. The type of game and its gameplay loop will determine the best way to reward students for correct answers.

For students playing the games, an interface would appear at the appropriate time which would require the student to answer one or more questions. If the student answers incorrectly, he or she would need to answer more questions. After answering the required number of questions correctly, the student would return to the game and receive the in-game benefit.

The questions could be inserted into existing video games through modifications. Or the questions could be formatted into new games.

Below are some video examples of how different types of games could incorporate GBLI.

Teachers would enter questions into an interface or questions could be automatically generated. Students could answer questions within a single subject or across subjects. Questions could begin at a low difficulty level and gradually progress in difficulty to match a given student’s ability.

The questions would be multiple choice so that the correct answer could be determined by the system immediately. The system could track student progress and send the relevant information to the teacher’s interface.

To keep students engaged and motivated, it would be important to balance the amount of time spent answering questions and time spent playing the game. Finding this balance may be difficult in the early stages of implementing GBLI. Student feedback will be needed to determine the balancing systems.

Game-Based Learning Integration