Integrating computer game-based learning into construction education

Abstract

The attention to computer game-based learning has grown as research continues to demonstrate its effectiveness for education. Games have been proven to be an effective tool in supplementing conventional teaching methods. However, prior to the development of such educational game, in order to be effective, it is essential that pedagogic concerns are addressed first and integrated into the game design process. Educational games cannot be designed and developed exclusively by instructional designers, or exclusively by game developers, because the former know little about game development, and the latter know little about the science of teaching and learning. As such, development of educational games requires both the instructional designer and game developer to be equally involved during the design stage. This paper presented a comparative summary of the phases involved in the Instructional Design Process and Tasks, and the Game Design Process and Products. This paper also included a brief overview of the Game Concept and Design Document and discussed how it can be adapted for construction education.