An investigation of the effects of a graphic organizer in an online serious game on learning outcomes and attitudinal perceptions

Abstract

A serious game, which is designed for learning purposes rather than recreational purposes, has been applied for digital game-based Learning. This study investigated the effects of graphic organizers in a serious game, “The Transistor”, on learning outcomes and attitudinal perceptions. A total of 99 participants were randomly assigned to three groups: non-organizer group, advance organizer group, and post organizer group. The results revealed that participants using a post organizer, which was presented after the game for review, outperformed those using a non-organizer and an advance organizer on both learning outcomes (recall test scores and recycling intention) and attitudinal perceptions (perceived enjoyment, perceived usefulness, and satisfaction). These findings implied that a post-graphic organizer could enhance the instructional value of a serious game. More detailed implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Keywords:

• serious game
• digital game-based learning
• post organizer
• advance organizer

Notes on contributors

Jongpil Cheon is an assistant professor in the Instructional Technology program at Texas Tech University. His research interests involve implementing immersive online learning environments and investigating advanced technologies for interactive learning.

Sungwon Chung is a doctoral student in the Instructional Technology program at Texas Tech University. His research interest is digital game-based learning.

Jaeki Song is an associate professor and the Jerry S. Rawls Professor of MIS at the Rawls College of Business at Texas Tech University and a visiting associate professor at the Graduate School of Business at Sogang University in South Korea. His primary area of research is the adoption of Web-based technologies. Specific research issues include technology continuance, trust, business intelligence, and social aspects of adoption. His research findings have appeared in Management Science, Journal of Management Information Systems, IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication, Decision Support Systems, Information & Management, and other decent journals.

Yongjin Kim is an associate professor of MIS at Sogang University. He was a faculty member at the State University of New York at Binghamton from 2002 to 2007. His research interest is in knowledge management and service innovation including process innovation, information systems success, e-business support systems and their success, and information technology evaluation.

Notes

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