Digital Games for Diagnostic Assessment of Cognitive Skills and Competences

Abstract

This chapter is a literature review on the uses of games for assessment. Its purpose is to outline a framework for the design of digital games for the assessment of cognitive skills and competences. A model for the assessment of generic competences is initially presented. Four categories for assessment through digital games are then explored (aim, implementation, integration, and primary type), including the strategies of in-game and out-game assessment. Methodological questions are then raised, involving approaches for linking the types of actions performed by the players during the game to a knowledge domain, tests for cognitive assessment, and adaptive assessment. As solutions, recommendations, and suggestions for future research a model is proposed to guide the design and development of digital games that aim to assess cognitive skills and competences, named DACSC.