Game based Learning and 21st century skills: A review of recent research
Game based learning and 21st century skills have been gaining an enormous amount of attention from researchers and practitioners. Given numerous studies support the positive effects of games on learning, a growing number of researchers are committed to developing educational games to promote students' 21st century skill development in schools. However, little is known regarding how games may influence student acquisition of 21st century skills. This paper examines the most recent literature in regard to game based learning and identified 29 studies which targeted 21st century skills as outcomes. The range of game genres and game design elements as well as learning theories used in these studies are discussed, together with the range of indicators, measures and outcomes for impacts on 21st century skills. The findings suggest that a game based learning approach might be effective in facilitating students' 21st century skill development. The paper also provides valuable insights for researchers, game designers, and educators in issues related to educational game design and implementation in general. One hundred and thirty seven papers were included in the review.Twenty nine papers reported the impacts of games on 21st century skills development.Effect sizes were reported for 37% of the empirical findings.A number of learning theories were referenced in the 29 papers.Effective game design elements were identified.
Comput. Hum. Behav.