表題番号：2025C-223
日付：2026/03/11
研究課題Thinking Aloud about Game-Based Language Learning: Exploring Learning Processes in Gameplay
| 研究者所属（当時） | 資格 | 氏名 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| （代表者） | 国際学術院 国際教養学部 | 教授 | シャルロート ヨアヒム |
| （連携研究者） | University of Heidelberg | Deputy Director of the International Study Center | Deissler, Dirk |
- 研究成果概要
- The aim of this Tokutei Kadai project is to test and refine methods that enable researchers and game designers to measure the effects of specific game mechanics and game design elements on learning outcomes in game-based learning. From July 31 to August 25 I visited the University of Heidelberg to collaborate with Dr. Deissler, Deputy Director of the Internation Study Center, as part of the project "Thinking Aloud about Game-based Learning". Instead of conducting an interventional study using a pretest-posttest research design, we used the thinking-aloud method. Dr. Deissler was very helpful in finding subjects for our experiment with various linguistic backgrounds.
As part of the experiment, German learners were asked to play four arcade-style language learning games and to verbalize their thoughts during play. After a brief introduction by the researcher, all four games were played for 10-15 minutes. The events on the screen were recorded, an audio recording was made, and the game software also logged the game states in different degrees of detail.
As this was a pre-test, data was collected from four test subjects. Short interviews were then conducted with the test subjects to ask them how they experienced the experiments and what suggestions for improvement they might have.
Dr. Deissler and I then began transcribing the recordings and developing categories for different verbalization events. Finally, the events were correlated with the different types of design elements in the games in order to draw generalizable conclusions for future game design.
The study showed that the method is excellently suited for making learning processes in game-based learning comprehensible and for evaluating game mechanics and design elements. At the same time, we were able to gain valuable experience in how test subjects should be instructed and introduced to the experiment in order to obtain valid results. This pre-test also provided us with valuable insights into the difficulties of categorizing speech events.
All of this has laid the foundation for a competent and empirically sound application for future third-party funding.