Towards an integrated educational games evaluation model: a review of study

Abstract

Games for science education are gaining a huge reputation nowadays due to games popularity among younger generation. Meanwhile, traditional learning approach is considered dull due to lack of interactivity and flexibility. Adaptation of game for education is deem as a progressive approach that suits the preferences of younger generation. Educational games acceptance among students is still low despite huge initiatives and monetary fund invested by both game researchers as well as game developers. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the reasons why those games received low acceptance rates. Additionally, user experience is one of the important components for any user to use a computer-based technology. Several factors deem as crucial for user to accept or reject an information system. However, most studies only cover on acceptance factors without much on the user experience factors. This study explores on an integrated model from both acceptance and user experience factors. User experience studies are done beyond acceptance studies by looking from several different aspects of evaluation. Player experience factors is one of the prominent components that contribute to user decision to use (or not to use) the online games. This paper reviews several most related and recent studies from both acceptance and user experiences theories. It was found that studies on acceptance factors are available mostly in the last 10 years, but it is highly diverse due to complex features and nature of educational games. A specific game and a specific model were normally used to measure the student's acceptance which makes it difficult to be customized to different games with different features. Meanwhile, studies on user experience of educational games only gaining attention especially in the last 5 years, hence its importance for more exploration.