Games based learning environments: A review of potential steps forward for virtual learning

Abstract

Covid-19 has forced educators to re-think online distance teaching. It is no longer an abstract mixture of technologies in support situations but rather, a necessity to prevent the complete shutdown of formal education. And that inevitability exposed several issues, from technical difficulties to configuration and application of tools, and short-term and potential long-term negative effects on learning derived from lack of motivation, incapacity for autonomous study, inexistent or limited social interactions and extraordinarily little engagement and immersion in the contents being taught. For decades, the possibility and potential of introducing videogames as learning tools has been discussed, but their implementation should be focused as different genres provide different outcomes. We therefore considered the specific mechanics and outcomes desired and the use of role-playing games as a potential videogame-based learning environment to support distance learning as well as the potential issues with that approach.