Designing and Deploying 3D Collaborative Games in Education

• Published in: International journal of game-based learning Vol. 6; no. 1; pp. 43 - 57
• Main Authors: Mavridis, Apostolos, Tsiatsos, Thrasyvoulos, Terzidou, Theodouli
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hershey IGI Global 01.01.2016
• Subjects: Analysis; Case Studies; Categories; Collaborative learning; Collaborative virtual environments; Computer Assisted Instruction; Computer Games; Computer programs; Computer Simulation; Computer Software; Computer Uses in Education; Cooperative Learning; Education; Educational Games; Educational Technology; Engagement (Philosophy); Foreign Countries; Games; Greece; Higher Education; Instructional Design; Interviews; Learning; Methods; Motivation; Phases; Questionnaires; Research Methodology; Russia; Simulated Environment; Technology Integration; Three dimensional; Ukraine; Virtual Classrooms; Greece; Ukraine; Russia
• ISSN: 2155-6849; 2155-6857
• DOI: 10.4018/IJGBL.2016010104

This paper focuses on methodologies of serious games deployment and evaluation. Particularly, this study will present a specific category of serious games that are based on Collaborative Virtual Environments and they aim to support Collaborative Learning. We call these serious games Collaborative Virtual Educational Games (CVEG). The paper aims to analyze the deployment and evaluation process, through the study of relevant bibliography, and by doing so to reveal the existing research gap, which fails to evaluate the threefold nature – game, collaboration, and software - of CVEG. The proposed framework aims to support the design, deployment, and evaluation of a CVEG, by incorporating two consecutive and recurrent cycles, each consisting of distinct phases. Furthermore, each phase is designed to address specific goals. Finally, the paper presents four case studies, applying the proposed theoretical methodology for designing, deploying and evaluating a pragmatic CVEG.