Purpose
Collaborative research in interdisciplinary research environments is challenged in many ways. With regard to the interdisciplinary research association ForChange, we suggest the use of innovative game development elements to improve group processes and knowledge integration and transfer scientific knowledge into society. The gamification approach – applying “game principles and game design in a nongame context” has gained increasing scientific attention in recent years (Coil, Ettinger, & Eisen, 2017, p. 1). Concerning interdisciplinary research projects, studies indicate that the character of game development is beneficial (Zimmerman, 2008), for example by strengthening social relationships within groups (Hsu & Wang, 2010).
Within the game development process of ForChange, not only external experts from the gaming industry but also academic consultants experienced in game studies were included. Find out more about the research association here.
References:
Coil, D. A., Ettinger, C. L., & Eisen, J. A. (2017). Gut check: The evolution of an educational board game. PLoS Biology, 15(4). http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.2001984
Hsu, H.-Y., & Wang, S.-K. (2010). Using gaming iiteracies to cultivate new literacies. Simulation & Gaming, 41(3), 400–417. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1046878109355361
Zimmerman, E. (2008). Gaming literacy: Game design as a model for literacy in the twenty-first century. In B. Perron & M. J. P.
Wolf (Eds.), The video game theory reader 2 (pp. 45–54)