Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: In last twenty years, STEM teaching methods are in the focus of regulation bodies, visionaries, decision-makers and practitioners in K12 and university education worldwide. Among the traditional approaches for STEM teaching based on problem solving, projects, collaboration and inquiries, nowadays gamification and game-based learning started gaining popularity as innovative, interactive and very engaging teaching methods. While gamification applies game elements and interactive simulations to teach STEM concepts, game-based learning relies on incorporation of educational content into digital games that learners play as a part of the learning process, for acquiring specific knowledge or skills. The paper presents 3D maze video games as effective tool for informal education proven in many previous case studies with K12 and university students. The video mazes are generated automatically by a software platform and are enhanced with various mini-games representing didactic tasks of different types. Despite the fact that most previous games have been in the field of cultural heritage, mazes have the potential to be used in STEM education as well. There are discussed the qualities of the mini-games included in maze halls, together with their possible application for STEM teaching. The paper concludes with some remarks about the positive appreciation of maze video games reported by both students and teachers that paves the way for their future application for a motivating and engaging game-based learning.
Source: Innovative STEM Education
Author: Boyan Bontchev
Institution: Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski"
Language: English
Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4405724967