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Instructional Techniques to Facilitate Learning and Motivation of Serious Games pp 141–159Cite as

Self-Explanations in Game-Based Learning: From Tacit to Transferable Knowledge

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Part of the book series: Advances in Game-Based Learning ((AGBL))

Abstract

Game-based learning is often considered to be an effective instructional approach, but the effects of game-based learning are varied and far from optimal. Aside from many features and characteristics that might affect the results of game-based learning, we conjecture that games generally thrive on experiential learning and that experiential learning does increase knowledge, but that this knowledge is often implicit. We note that though implicit knowledge is certainly valuable, that in general explicit knowledge is considered more desirable in education, because it is more accessible and promotes transfer. It is suggested that explicit knowledge does not always automatically follow from the development of implicit knowledge, but that this process can be supported through self-explanations. Because self-explanations rarely occur automatically in game-based learning environments, we propose that self-explanations in game-based learning environments can be elicited by specific instructional approaches. Three possible approaches for eliciting self-explanations are discussed: question prompts, collaboration, and partial worked examples.

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Sponsored by NWO under grant number 411-10-900 and FWO under grant number G.0.516.11.N.10.

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  1. Department of Instructional Technology, University of Twente, 217, 7500 AE, Enschede, The Netherlands

    Judith ter Vrugte & Ton de Jong

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  1. Judith ter Vrugte
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  2. Ton de Jong
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Utrecht University, Utretcht, The Netherlands

    Pieter Wouters

  2. Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Herre van Oostendorp

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ter Vrugte, J., de Jong, T. (2017). Self-Explanations in Game-Based Learning: From Tacit to Transferable Knowledge. In: Wouters, P., van Oostendorp, H. (eds) Instructional Techniques to Facilitate Learning and Motivation of Serious Games. Advances in Game-Based Learning. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39298-1_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39298-1_8

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