Short answer

When designing digital learning environments or interactive systems, consider incorporating elements of game design or utilizing digital games directly to foster deeper and more multifaceted student engagement.

Field: Innovation & Design
Source: International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education (2017)
Method: Literature Review
Evidence: Strong effect

Digital games demonstrate the most comprehensive positive impact on student engagement, influencing behavioral, emotional, and cognitive aspects more broadly than other digital technologies. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2017 study published in International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education. Using Literature review, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing digital learning environments or interactive systems, consider incorporating elements of game design or utilizing digital games directly to foster deeper and more multifaceted student engagement.

Study

Innovation & DesignHigh ImpactStrong effect

Digital Games Enhance Student Engagement Across Behavioral, Emotional, and Cognitive Dimensions

Digital games demonstrate the most comprehensive positive impact on student engagement, influencing behavioral, emotional, and cognitive aspects more broadly than other digital technologies.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education · 2017

Key Findings

01Digital games provide the most far-reaching influence across different types of student engagement.
02Web-conferencing software and Facebook also show significant influence on student engagement.
03Findings for wikis, blogs, and Twitter are less conclusive and supported by fewer recent studies.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When developing educational software or interactive platforms, explore incorporating game mechanics such as points, badges, leaderboards, and challenges, or consider integrating full digital game experiences.

Project actions

01When researching engagement, clearly define the types of engagement you are measuring (behavioral, emotional, cognitive).
02Consider using digital games or gamified elements in your design project to enhance user interaction and motivation.

Method & Evidence

AimTo critically review the literature on how various computer-based technologies influence student engagement.

MethodLiterature Review

ProcedureThe researchers conducted a critical review of academic literature published within the last five years, focusing on the impact of web-conferencing software, blogs, wikis, social networking sites, and digital games on student engagement. They categorized studies based on three types of engagement: behavioral, emotional, and cognitive.

ContextHigher Education

Variables

IVType of computer-based technology (digital games, web-conferencing, social media, etc.)

DVStudent engagement (behavioral, emotional, cognitive)

CVStudy context (e.g., higher education), specific learning tasks, duration of technology use.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Provides a structured overview of a complex topic.
+Categorizes engagement into distinct types for clearer analysis.

Limitations

The findings might not apply to all age groups or educational contexts, and the rapid evolution of technology means newer platforms may offer different engagement potentials.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of the findings depends on the quality and consistency of the studies reviewed. Validity is enhanced by the critical review approach, which aims to synthesize existing research.

Think critically

While digital games show strong engagement potential, consider the potential for distraction or superficial engagement if not thoughtfully integrated into the learning objectives.

Design Principles

"Gamification and interactive digital environments can significantly enhance user engagement by appealing to behavioral, emotional, and cognitive drivers."

Understanding which digital tools most effectively foster student engagement is crucial for designing educational experiences and digital products. This insight can guide the development of more engaging learning platforms and interactive systems.

What This Means for Your Design

Games are the best digital tools for getting students interested and involved in learning, affecting how they act, feel, and think about the subject.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the effectiveness of different technologies for engagement in your design project's background research or justification sections.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research indicates that digital games have a significant and broad impact on student engagement, influencing behavioral, emotional, and cognitive dimensions more effectively than other digital tools such as blogs or wikis. This suggests that incorporating game-like elements or digital games themselves into learning environments can be a powerful strategy for increasing user involvement and motivation.

Source

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

Computer-based technology and student engagement: a critical review of the literature

journal · 2017

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about digital games enhance student engagement across behavioral, emotional, and cognitive dimensions?: When designing digital learning environments or interactive systems, consider incorporating elements of game design or utilizing digital games directly to foster deeper and more multifaceted student engagement. Evidence: International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education (2017).
Why does "Digital Games Enhance Student Engagement Across Behavioral, Emotional, and Cognitive Dimensions" matter for design?: Understanding which digital tools most effectively foster student engagement is crucial for designing educational experiences and digital products. This insight can guide the development of more engaging learning platforms and interactive systems.
How can designers apply this research?: When designing digital learning environments or interactive systems, consider incorporating elements of game design or utilizing digital games directly to foster deeper and more multifaceted student engagement.
What were the main findings?: Digital games provide the most far-reaching influence across different types of student engagement.. Web-conferencing software and Facebook also show significant influence on student engagement.. Findings for wikis, blogs, and Twitter are less conclusive and supported by fewer recent studies.
What research method was used?: Literature Review.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2017 journal from International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When developing educational software or interactive platforms, explore incorporating game mechanics such as points, badges, leaderboards, and challenges, or consider integrating full digital game experiences.
What are the limitations?: The review is limited to literature from the past five years and focuses on specific digital technologies, potentially overlooking emerging tools or broader technological impacts.