Visualisation of student learning model in serious games

Abstract

Application of serious games in distance learning can raise quality of education and student satisfaction on a higher level. However, when student learns through game, his focus is moved from learning domain to different context of the game. This actually enables to achieve fun and learn at the same time. But this approach also makes harder for educators to track and analyse students learning progress during game session, which is crucial in order to provide immediate feedback and to help students reach established learning goals. Such a specific learning environment requires concrete real-time analytical tool that will adequately match the dynamic game environment. This paper proposes a new tool for visualisation of student learning model during gameplay session. Tool can be used by educators and by students to track the game progress. Using this tool educators are provided with real-time tracking of students learning and it enables them to react and influence the overall learning process. Evaluation of the proposed approach was done through an empirical study, conducted on educators group monitoring an educational game session, using the combination of traditional analytic tool and the newly proposed visualisation approach. Initial quantitative results and recorded opinions of the participants speak in favour of the proposed approach and justify further investment in development of this specific learning analytics method.