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Are Game Elements Fueling Learners’ Motivation via Positive Affect?

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Games and Learning Alliance (GALA 2023)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 14475))

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Abstract

The use of game elements in learning tasks is often motivated by the aim of utilizing their motivational capabilities. Even if game elements do not directly affect cognitive learning outcomes, they can keep learners engaged and support long-term loyalties. In this contribution, we present an investigation of the effect of game elements with a specific focus on affective and motivational aspects. In particular, we report a value-added online experiment, comparing a game-based version with a non-game-based version of an association learning task. In total, 61 participants completed the experiment. While we find comparable cognitive learning outcomes, we find medium and large differences in affective and motivational outcomes. Game elements are associated with an increase in positive affect and increased perceived competence compared to the non-game-based task. The game-based task was further perceived significantly more attractive and stimulating. Mediation models revealed that the increased cognitive cost introduced by game elements was effectively balanced by their benefits regarding motivation. The latter was partially mediated by changes in positive affect. In sum, the net cognitive outcome was the same for both tasks, but learners in the game-based condition were more positively affected, more motivated and felt more competent. Implications and future research directions are discussed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria

    Stefan E. Huber & Manuel Ninaus

  2. Faculty of Education and Culture, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland

    Antero Lindstedt & Kristian Kiili

  3. LEAD Graduate School and Research Network, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany

    Manuel Ninaus

Authors
  1. Stefan E. Huber
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  2. Antero Lindstedt
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  3. Kristian Kiili
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  4. Manuel Ninaus
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stefan E. Huber .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Pierpaolo Dondio

  2. Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Mariana Rocha

  3. University of Galway, Galway, Ireland

    Attracta Brennan

  4. Berlin School of Economics and Law, Berlin, Germany

    Avo Schönbohm

  5. CAPTRS, Austin, TX, USA

    Francesca de Rosa

  6. Tampere University, Tampere, Finland

    Antti Koskinen

  7. University of Genova, Genoa, Italy

    Francesco Bellotti

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Huber, S.E., Lindstedt, A., Kiili, K., Ninaus, M. (2024). Are Game Elements Fueling Learners’ Motivation via Positive Affect?. In: Dondio, P., et al. Games and Learning Alliance. GALA 2023. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 14475. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-49065-1_23

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-49065-1_23

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-49064-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-49065-1

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

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