Integrating System-independent Learning Content with the Benefits of Digital Game Based Learning

Serious games following the ideas of Digital Game Based Learning by Marc Prensky mainly focus on designing a learning system which feels like a real game while also teaching learning objectives. These games utilize intrinsic motivation, influencing learning effects positively. Previous studies and evaluations identified a demand for a more modular and streamlined framework. Such a framework should provide independence between knowledge domain (mainly content for learning objectives) and the game itself (mainly game mechanics and game loop). Implementing standards will enable incorporating multi-faceted knowledge domains of third-party learning systems. This paper reviews state-of-the-art methods and technologies that enable learning systems to invoke and communicate with other external learning systems. In the second step, the methods and technologies are discussed. Based on the discussion, a conceptual design and a system architecture is presented. The paper concludes with recommendations for future work.