Practical application of the Learning Mechanics-Game Mechanics (LM-GM) framework for Serious Games analysis in engineering education

Abstract

Serious Games (SG) have proved to have instructional potential but there is still a lack of methodologies and tools not only for their design but also to support game analysis and assessment. This paper explores the use of SG to increase student engagement and retention. The ongoing development phase of a game to teach the theoretical and practical principles of the operation of a sound synthesizer is presented to demonstrate how electronic engineering education can be radically reimagined to create immersive, highly engaging learning experiences that are problem-centered and pedagogically sound. The Learning Mechanics-Game Mechanics (LM-GM) framework for SG game analysis is introduced and its use in an educational game design scenario is shown as a case study.