Supporting Variable Dyad Learning Activities in an Instructional Game System

Abstract

This paper presents an instructional game system to support variable dyad learning activities for problem-solving exercises, particularly variable in difficulty level to make learning activities challenging and motivating for a wide range of people, or for the same person at different times. Furthermore, the system also allows teachers to adjust difficulty level of learning activities and to author the exercise problems. An instructional game is a highly motivating approach for reinforcing and exercising previously taught skills and concepts. This work uses dyad learning activities to mean synchronous learning activities involving two students who interact through a computer network. Variable dyad learning activities are developed by adjustment and combination of different factors, such as exercise problems, competition or collaboration, constraints on solving problems, and game scenarios. This paper describes the system design, adjustable factors, variable dyad learning activities, and a preliminary evaluation of the system.