Using Games-Based eLearning Technologiesin Overcoming Difficulties in Teaching Information Systems

Abstract

The contributions of this research center on two major areas: delineation of a new model of distance education in which the authors identify three generations of eLearning; and examination of how eLearning and games-based eLearning technologies can be used to enrich the Information Systems (IS) learning experiences of students with different learning styles. Before considering these contributions, some background material on eLearning is useful. eLearning has profoundly changed many aspects of society and, inevitably, it is having a significant impact on Higher Education, where it has now evolved from a marginal form of education to a commonly accepted alternative to traditional face-to-face education. The term can cover different delivery models ranging from courses that are delivered fully online (no face-to-face meetings) to courses that provide some face-to-face interaction and some online provision (sometimes called blended learning). Within this continuum interactive technologies can play a significant role in engaging the learner and providing a rich learning experience. The authors highlight some key educational merits of eLearning and games-based eLearning and highlight a number of examples where games-based eLearning has been applied elsewhere in the areas of management and administration, and business.• developing and applying transferable analytical and problem-solving skills;• developing self confidence and increased motivation, and• allowing students time to reflect upon their practice and develop metacognitive strategies capable of adapting to new and evolving situations.The final section of paper identifies areas of further direction such as developing a less sophisticated virtual games environment that is easier to adapt and is less resource intensive and thus better able to meet the needs and financial constraints found in higher education.

The Live Teaching Case: A New IS Method and its Application

“…As a consequence, for IS graduates to be successful in today's environment, the requirements have become more complex as these graduates must now be experts in the ever-changing technological domain and expert decisionmakers for organizations facing technical challenges. They must be able to make business-related decisions in real-life situations where the solution is often not obvious and highly complex (Connolly & Stansfield, 2006). In this perspective, the present paper advances a pedagogical method new to IS that has the ability to more realistically convey the practical and conceptual challenges that will be faced by new IS graduates, while at the same time offering a powerful tool for developing the high-level IS capabilities identified within the official 2010 Information Systems curriculum (Topi et al, 2010).…”

Use of a Web-Based Game to Teach Pediatric Content to Medical Students

“…4 Second generation e-learning courses incorporated active technologies, potentially increasing motivation and enhancing learning through interactivity and multimedia. 5 Preferences for online and technology-enhanced learning have been expressed regardless of learning style 6 and gender.…”

Log file analysis for disengagement detection in e-Learning environments

“…While in a classroom setting motivation can be addressed by teachers, in e-Learning environments new ways of motivating or re-motivating learners are required. Several approaches addressing motivational issues have been proposed, including the design of attractive e-Learning systems (Ishii et al 2004), using game features to motivate learners (Chen et al 1998;Connolly and Stansfield 2006), using whiteboards (Becta 2006) and clickers (Martyn 2007), as well as animated agents (Machado et al 1999;Gussak and Baylor 2003). Nevertheless, learners are not getting the full benefit of these features if they do not engage in the first place.…”