Using games to teach statics calculation procedures: Application and assessment

Abstract

Computers afford opportunities for creative instructional activities that are not possible in the traditional lecture-and-textbook class format. Two computer-based interactive games for engineering statics are described in this study. These games are designed to foster proficiency and confidence in narrowly defined but essential topics through the use of repetition and carefully constructed levels of difficulty. The game format provides students with a learning structure and an incentive to develop skills at their own pace in a non-judgmental but competitive and often fun environment. Quantitative and qualitative assessments of both games revealed that: (a) students' quantitative ratings and comments were consistently positive; (b) students who used the games scored significantly higher on quizzes over the subject material than those who learned via traditional lecture; and (c) students rated the games as significantly more effective than the textbook as an aid for learning the material. Materials presented in this article are available at http://web.umr.edu/∼mecmovie/index.html. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 13: 222–232, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20043