Creation, evaluation, and presentation of user-generated content in community game-based tutors

Abstract

Games have been shown to be useful as learning tools, and much literature explores the use of games instead of traditional assignments or as supplementary teaching tools. However, creation of content for these games consumes tremendous resources in terms of time and expert knowledge, and use of games in this way fails to utilize many of the unique advantages games have to offer as a platform for learning content. We propose the use of social gaming mechanics for learning game; content-creation mechanics which will keep students involved in the game long after the original assignment, and result in a constantly growing and changing game environment in which players can continue to practice and refine their skills. We believe that the creation, evaluation, and implementation of user-generated content in social serious games has the potential to revolutionize the way games are used as cyberlearning tools, and that through motivating students to create and share, educators can capitalize on another pathway to learning through creative gameplay.