A Data-Driven, Player-Centric Approach to Evaluating Spatial Skill Training Games

Helen Wauck, Brian S. Woodard, Ziang Xiao, Tiffany Wenting Li, Brian P. Bailey

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Certain commercial games train spatial skills, a subset of cognitive skills used in school, the workplace, and everyday life. However, it is difficult to design spatial skill training games without knowing why some games are effective. In addition, existing game training studies do not analyze motivational factors for critical target populations. We conducted a study comparing spatial skill training effects and enjoyment for low spatial skill students on three training interventions: the computer game Homeworld Bound: Redux, digital spatial workbook exercises, and an active control group. We found no training effects for any intervention, but performance in certain game levels predicted spatial skill, and low spatial skill students enjoyed the game more than the workbook exercises. We provide three design recommendations for spatial skill training games based on our findings: use asymmetry for object manipulation tasks, require explicit 2D to 3D representation translation, and employ time pressure for navigation tasks.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationCHI PLAY 2020 - Proceedings of the Annual Symposium on Computer-Human Interaction in Play
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery
Pages349-361
Number of pages13
ISBN (Electronic)9781450380744
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2 2020
Externally publishedYes
Event7th ACM SIGCHI Annual Symposium on Computer-Human Interaction in Play, CHI PLAY 2020 - Virtual, Online, Canada
Duration: Nov 2 2020Nov 4 2020

Publication series

NameCHI PLAY 2020 - Proceedings of the Annual Symposium on Computer-Human Interaction in Play

Conference

Conference7th ACM SIGCHI Annual Symposium on Computer-Human Interaction in Play, CHI PLAY 2020
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityVirtual, Online
Period11/2/2011/4/20

Keywords

  • cognitive training games
  • intrinsic motivation
  • player experience
  • spatial skills
  • stem education

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Human-Computer Interaction

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