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Technology, Knowledge and Learning

, Volume 21, Issue 2, pp 175–194 | Cite as

Improving the Design of a Learning Game Through Intrinsic Integration and Playtesting

  • André R. Denham
Article
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Abstract

Designing and developing games for learning is a difficult endeavor. Educational game designers must not only make an engaging and motivating game, but must also ensure that learning takes place as a result of gameplay. Educational researchers have sought to define design principles in order to lessen the difficulty involved with game design. In spite of these efforts, there is still a paucity of empirical research in support of significant direct learning gains that result from time spent in a game environment. This study investigated the effectiveness of a design and development approach centered on playtesting, with the purpose of ensuring the proper intrinsic integration of multiplication properties, concepts, and strategies within the game’s mechanics.

Keywords

Game-based learning Game design Playtesting Mathematics 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2016

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.The University of AlabamaTuscaloosaUSA

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