Design Considerations for Building a Scalable Digital Version of a Multi-player Educational Board Game for a MOOC in Logistics and Transportation

Abstract

With more flexible and large-scale learning environments, new design requirements for games emerge. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are one of the most important innovations in the learning field. Still, it is a challenge to motivate learners and to keep them motivated in such huge learning environments. To address this challenge, we redesigned a board game targeting at an integrated view on disruption and communication management in an intermodal transportation situation. From the redesign, we have learned that an online game works better with fewer roles, requires immediate feedback, and an engaging way of challenge to keep players motivated. Our findings can inform the design of games for large groups of players in an online environment.

Simulation Games to Study Transportation Issues and Solutions: Studies on Synchromodality

“…Board games also produce rich qualitative data. In combination with well-designed briefing and debriefing sessions board games can be very valuable research instruments even in today’s digital era ( 26 , 27, 28 ). A simulation metamodel has been developed using the design of the game where the choices of the players are inserted, and their effects are calculated.…”