Experimenting with GAME OVER to create processes of reflection and academic inquiry

Abstract

Educations are challenged in their effort to facilitate students learning when it comes to especially processes of reflection. Also in a Problem-Based Learning context, errors often cause a lack of motivation, that gives reflection processes and academic inquiry difficult conditions Game-Based Learning is thus suggested as a learning strategy which can address these learning needs though a procedural rhetoric. Furthermore, Game-Based Learning is found to affords students risk taking and engagement in learning activities However, a literature review of empirical studies of Game-Based Learning reveals existing gaps in the literature. There are missing models for how academic activities can be enhanced through the use of Game-Based Learning, here especially the transformation of “Game Over” elements into a learning environment based on physical Game objects. This study aims to describe learning situations where the academic focal point is a reflective and innovative writing process through gaming principles. The study design aims to identify what impact Game-Based Learning have on facilitating academic literacy to create processes of reflection. Based on two cases, the empirical data are retrieved from video observations during a period of 1 year. A qualitative content analysis and interpretation of the collected data reveals how the use of “Game Over” strengthens the depth of the students' writing through a reflective and metacognitive approach to the task. As a contribution to the existing knowledge, this paper presents a Procedural Rhetoric for how to work with a “Game Over” strategy to facilitate academic literacy and thereby create processes of reflection in a physical context.