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A framework for serious game development as an instructional approach (SGDIA): proof-of-concept for students’ self-efficacy, values, and critical reflection
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

A framework for serious game development as an instructional approach (SGDIA): proof-of-concept for students’ self-efficacy, values, and critical reflection

Pia Spangenberger, Anja Schultze-Krumbholz, Linda Kruse, Sonja M. Geiger, Vanessa Löde, Louisa Klara Pole and Steve Nebel
International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, Vol.22(1), 75
2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-025-00573-7
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Published 3.00 MBDownloadView
Published (Version of Record)CC BY V4.0,  Open Access

Abstract

Serious games Learners-as-designers Education for sustainable development Socio-emotional ADDIE
Multiple studies have investigated how serious games can foster learning in the context of education. However, findings on the impact of developing such serious games as an instructional approach are still limited, especially in education for sustainable development. Thus, this paper presents the Serious Game Development as an Instructional Approach (SGDIA) framework based on the ADDIE concept. Subsequently, a proof-of-concept study is applied to evaluate the impact of the course concept on learning. In an experimental pre-post study design at two German universities (n = 48), the effects on socio-emotional (values, self-efficacy) and cognitive (understanding, critical reflection) learning objectives relevant to education for sustainable development have been tested. The findings show that self-efficacy and pro-environmental values increased significantly after students participated in the serious game design course over three months. Additionally, in 23 out of the 48 participants, students who sought understanding during the three months of the teaching setting were more likely to critically reflect. As low-level methods of creating game content, such as simple game engines using visual programming, are becoming more widespread, the paper demonstrates how creating serious games can be a valid instructional method. Based on the findings, the potential of developing serious games as an instructional approach in higher education is discussed.

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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#4 Quality Education

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Citation topics
6 Social Sciences
6.11 Education & Educational Research
6.11.2357 Transformative Learning
Web Of Science research areas
Education & Educational Research
ESI research areas
Social Sciences, general
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