Design and evaluation of an educational game for postgraduate research skills

What is it about?

A new game called "How to Fail Your Research Degree" helps postgraduate students learn valuable research skills in a fun and memorable way. The game uses humour and challenges to make learning more engaging than traditional lectures. Using theories of game-based learning (GBL) this paper explains the design and development of a game to teach research skills to postgrad (masters and PhD) students. The evaluation shows very strong results for learning and motivation.

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Photo by Jonathan Petersson on Unsplash

Photo by Jonathan Petersson on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The Challenge: Research degrees can be daunting. Students need to master a complex set of skills, from critical thinking and data analysis to effective writing and time management. Traditional lectures and coursework can feel dry and overwhelming. Furthermore, a lot of educational games don't integrate pedagogy very well and are therefore less effective. This paper shows one way that games can be designed very rigorously around the core learning goals. It's a detailed case study of one game in one application area. Enter the Game: "How to Fail Your Research Degree" flips the script on research training. This educational game for 1-4 players throws students into the deep end! Learning Through Laughter: Players take on the role of a postgraduate student juggling a demanding research project with the usual calamities of life. Events like a flooded library or a surprise family wedding test the players' ability to manage their time, resources, and research skills effectively. Beyond the Fun: The humour is just the hook. By strategically using game mechanics, "How to Fail Your Research Degree" teaches students valuable lessons: Risk Management: Players encounter challenges that represent common pitfalls in research, like unexpected data gaps or equipment malfunctions. They learn to anticipate risks and develop strategies to mitigate them. Prioritization and Planning: The game emphasizes the importance of time management and planning research activities effectively. Players who prioritize poorly or procrastinate face in-game consequences. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Relating the game's scenarios to their real lives requires players to think critically, and make informed decisions to keep their research on track. The Impact: Large scale evaluation shows "How to Fail Your Research Degree" is a success. Students not only enjoy the game, but they also gain a deeper understanding of the skills needed for research success. This innovative approach has the potential to: Improve Research Quality: By fostering strong research skills in students, the game can lead to better research outcomes across various fields. Boost Student Engagement: The game format makes learning research skills more engaging and memorable than traditional methods. Support Student Wellbeing: By highlighting the challenges of research and offering strategies to overcome them, the game can help students feel better prepared and more confident in their research journey.