IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/sae/simgam/v42y2011i5p596-609.html

Game Engagement Theory and Adult Learning

Author

Listed:
  • Nicola Whitton

Abstract

One of the benefits of computer game–based learning is the ability of certain types of game to engage and motivate learners. However, theories of learning and engagement, particularly in the sphere of higher education, typically fail to consider gaming engagement theory. In this article, the author examines the principles of engagement from games designed for entertainment, applies these principles to the design of learning activities, and presents a model of learning engagement. The article examines literature on computer games and engagement, draws together the findings from a series of interviews, and applies these in an educational context. The author hypothesizes five factors that contribute to engagement with a learning activity and provides an example of the use of these factors in practice. The article concludes by considering further potential applications of the model.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicola Whitton, 2011. "Game Engagement Theory and Adult Learning," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 42(5), pages 596-609, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:simgam:v:42:y:2011:i:5:p:596-609
    DOI: 10.1177/1046878110378587
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1046878110378587
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1177/1046878110378587?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rosemary Garris & Robert Ahlers & James E. Driskell, 2002. "Games, Motivation, and Learning: A Research and Practice Model," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 33(4), pages 441-467, December.
    2. M. P. J. Habgood & S. E. Ainsworth & S. Benford, 2005. "Endogenous fantasy and learning in digital games," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 36(4), pages 483-498, December.
    3. Claire Dormann & Robert Biddle, 2009. "A Review of Humor for Computer Games: Play, Laugh and More," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 40(6), pages 802-824, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Timothy C. Clapper, 2017. "Simulation and Gaming can be Used to Determine Validity While Engaging in Collaborative Environments," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 48(2), pages 175-177, April.
    2. Carolina Islas Sedano & Verona Leendertz & Mikko Vinni & Erkki Sutinen & Suria Ellis, 2013. "Hypercontextualized Learning Games," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 44(6), pages 821-845, December.
    3. Hans J. E. Korteling & Anne S. Helsdingen & Ralf R. Sluimer, 2017. "An Empirical Evaluation of Transfer-of-Training of Two Flight Simulation Games," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 48(1), pages 8-35, February.
    4. Bride Mallon & Ronan Lynch, 2014. "Stimulating Psychological Attachments in Narrative Games," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 45(4-5), pages 508-527, August.
    5. Jamilah Mohd Mahyideen & Nurhanani Aflizan Mohamad Rusli & Wan Normila Mohamad & Hafisah Yaakob & Nooraza Tukiran, 2025. "Gamifying Economics Education: A New Frontier in Teaching Innovation," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 9(3s), pages 3368-3375, May.
    6. David Sharek & Eric Wiebe, 2014. "Measuring Video Game Engagement Through the Cognitive and Affective Dimensions," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 45(4-5), pages 569-592, August.
    7. Marcin Wardaszko, 2016. "Building Simulation Game-Based Teaching Program for Secondary School Students," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 47(3), pages 287-303, June.
    8. Rohaifah M. Hadji Norhan & Junaipa A. Macala & Jamilah B. Hadji Latip & Burhanuddin S. Saud & Norhalin M. Ampuan, 2025. "Hands-on Games in Learning Selected Topics in Geometry: Effects on Students’ Engagement and Performance," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 9(7), pages 3593-3608, July.
    9. Michael Filsecker & Michael Kerres, 2014. "Engagement as a Volitional Construct," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 45(4-5), pages 450-470, August.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ioanna Iacovides & Patrick McAndrew & Eileen Scanlon & James Aczel, 2014. "The Gaming Involvement and Informal Learning Framework," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 45(4-5), pages 611-626, August.
    2. Wendy L. Bedwell & Davin Pavlas & Kyle Heyne & Elizabeth H. Lazzara & Eduardo Salas, 2012. "Toward a Taxonomy Linking Game Attributes to Learning," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 43(6), pages 729-760, December.
    3. Katherine A. Wilson & Wendy L. Bedwell & Elizabeth H. Lazzara & Eduardo Salas & C. Shawn Burke & Jamie L. Estock & Kara L. Orvis & Curtis Conkey, 2009. "Relationships Between Game Attributes and Learning Outcomes," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 40(2), pages 217-266, April.
    4. Carolina Islas Sedano & Verona Leendertz & Mikko Vinni & Erkki Sutinen & Suria Ellis, 2013. "Hypercontextualized Learning Games," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 44(6), pages 821-845, December.
    5. Martin A. Lynch & Richard J. Tunstall, 2008. "When worlds collide: Developing game-design partnerships in universities," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 39(3), pages 379-398, September.
    6. Christelle Mariais & Florence Michau & Jean-Philippe Pernin, 2012. "A Description Grid to Support the Design of Learning Role-Play Games," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 43(1), pages 23-33, February.
    7. Marco Greco & Nicola Baldissin & Fabio Nonino, 2013. "An Exploratory Taxonomy of Business Games," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 44(5), pages 645-682, October.
    8. Martijn C. Koops & Ineke Verheul & Rinus Tiesma & Cees-Willem de Boer & Ruben T. Koeweiden, 2016. "Learning Differences Between 3D vs. 2D Entertainment and Educational Games," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 47(2), pages 159-178, April.
    9. Nils Matzner & Robert Herrenbrück, 2017. "Simulating a Climate Engineering Crisis," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 48(2), pages 268-290, April.
    10. Lan, Xiaomeng & Song, Baobao, 2025. "The more, the merrier? Investigating the distinct and interaction effects of gamification mechanics in corporate sustainability engagement," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    11. Jari Takatalo & Jukka Häkkinen & Jyrki Kaistinen & Göte Nyman, 2011. "User Experience in Digital Games," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 42(5), pages 656-673, October.
    12. Apinya Dhatsuwan & Monamorn Precharattana, 2016. "Blockyland," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 47(4), pages 445-464, August.
    13. Paramasivam Muthusamy & Atieh Farashaiyan & Athar Nasek & Hui Zhang & Sun Chen & Heng Xu & Jiao Li & Junying Du & Qiao Mu, 2025. "Games Preferences for Vocabulary Learning Opportunities among Young ESL Learners in Secondary School Education in Malaysia," World Journal of English Language, Sciedu Press, vol. 15(8), pages 369-369, December.
    14. Oguzhan Gul & Zuhal Yurtsizoglu, 2025. "Development and Validation of the Scale for Analysing the Consumption Behaviours of E-Sports Players Using a Mixed-Methods Approach," SAGE Open, , vol. 15(3), pages 21582440251, August.
    15. Ihsen Zairi & Mohamed Ben Dhiab & Khadija Mzoughi & Imtinene Ben Mrad, 2022. "The Effect of Serious Games on Medical Students’ Motivation, Flow and Learning," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 53(6), pages 581-601, December.
    16. Fiona van Schaik, 2023. "In-Game Uncertainties and Climate Change Challenges as Identified by Pre-Service Teachers," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 54(6), pages 680-707, December.
    17. Rachel S. Phillips & Theresa Horstman & Nancy Vye & John Bransford, 2014. "Engagement and Games for Learning," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 45(4-5), pages 548-568, August.
    18. Rob J. Nadolski & Hans G. K. Hummel & Henk J. van den Brink & Ruud E. Hoefakker & Aad Slootmaker & Hub J. Kurvers & Jeroen Storm, 2008. "EMERGO: A methodology and toolkit for developing serious games in higher education," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 39(3), pages 338-352, September.
    19. Joske M. Houtkamp & Alexander Toet & Frank A. Bos, 2012. "Task-Relevant Sound and User Experience in Computer-Mediated Firefighter Training," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 43(6), pages 778-802, December.
    20. Geertje Bekebrede & Julia Lo & Heide Lukosch, 2015. "Understanding Complex Systems Through Mental Models and Shared Experiences," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 46(5), pages 536-562, October.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:sae:simgam:v:42:y:2011:i:5:p:596-609. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: SAGE Publications (email available below). General contact details of provider: .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.