Using Personalized assessment in a Game-Based Learning Environment to Enhance Learning outcomes and Players’ Engagement

Previous research indicates that the assessment techniques play a crucial role in e-learning as well as traditional learning where the use of well-designed adaptive techniques in learning environments can enhance the learning process. Moreover, based on literature the use of gamification and serious games leads to significant improvements in e-learning environments. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of personalizing in-game assessment based on spaced repetition in an adaptive game-based learning environment. Also, we aim to clarify how individuals with different learning styles may respond in such an environment and be influenced by the presence of assessment. In this regard, a vocabulary learning game has been developed. This game contains two different modes: random assessment mode, and a personalized assessment based on spaced repetition method. Based on the results of this study, the effects of the two modes mentioned above on different learning styles were different. Furthermore, applying spaced repetition led significantly to higher learning outcomes especially for some of the personality types. It has been statistically proved that the importance of adapting assessment methods to personality types in a game-based learning environment is undeniable. Since this paper presents the influence of applying assessment in a game-based learning environment for different personality types, the findings of this study can be applied to design of educational assessment in learning games in order to improve the learning outcomes, assessment quality, and user experience.

Keywords:

Game-Based Learning , Assessment , Personalization , Adaptive Learning , Spaced Repetition , Serious Games