LESSONS LEARNED IN GAME PLAYING ACTIVITIES USING PLAYTESTING IN A GAME-BASED LEARNING APPROACH

摘要

The ability to use games as a teaching and learning tool requires two-pronged approach, i.e. playing games or/and developing games. This article introduces findings from a research study that focus on learning by playing games, as a game user research field. The study focuses on lessons learned from findings revealing important issues in helping designers to understand users (gamers) and assess on how the designers should serve their needs. By using playtesting approach and procedures, this paper will discuss on the research aim in transmitting the gamer's experiences in learning computing lessons (topics or domains). The objectives include (1) finding the computing lessons where game playing activities can be used as a teaching and learning method, (2) measuring playtest level gain by playing games for meaningful play in computing education, and (3) analyzing experiences gained by playing games for teaching and learning computing lessons. A qualitative research design was selected to answer three research questions. The study reveals findings from observing a phenomenon without interfering from several case studies which illustrate the process of playtesting activity by a group of participants using multi-model methods. The multi-modal methods consist of a direct observation and interview sessions were used to analyze common experiences gained by playing games for teaching purposes. Analytical results through data interpretation coding was done systematically to identify and categorize specific observable actions or characteristics. The study suggests that game playing activities can become a meaningful and knowledgeable play in education.