May 16, 2021

Adaptation Evidence From a Digital Physics Game

Authors:
Elizabeth J. K. H. Redman, Gregory K. W. K. Chung, Tianying Feng, Katerina Schenke, Charles B. Parks, Joanne K. Michiuye, Sandy M. Chang, and Jeremy D. Roberts
Adaptivity has been proposed as a way of optimizing the game experience, but can games with adaptive leveling lead to learning gains? We present results from a study evaluating two versions of a digital game called Fish Force—an adaptive version and a nonadaptive version—as compared with a control game. One hundred forty-four children (aged 5–7) were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: adaptive, nonadaptive, or control. Analyses revealed that children in the nonadaptive condition performed statistically significantly better on a physics knowledge posttest as compared with children in the control, when controlling for age, gender, and low-income status. There was no significant difference between the adaptive and nonadaptive conditions. We also examined differences in self-reported engagement between the two treatment groups. Children in the nonadaptive group reported significantly higher levels of engagement than the adaptive group. We discuss implications for designing adaptive game systems.
Redman, E. J. K. H., Chung, G. K. W. K., Feng, T., Schenke, K., Parks, C. B., Michiuye, J. K., Chang, S. M., & Roberts, J. D. (2021). Adaptation evidence from a digital physics game. In H. F. O’Neil, E. L. Baker, R. S. Perez, & S. E. Watson (Eds.), Using cognitive and affective metrics in educational simulations and games: Applications in school and workplace contexts (pp. 55-82). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429282201