The potential of video games as a pedagogical tool

Integrating a Video Game Recording Into a Qualitative Research Methods Course to Overcome COVID-19 Barriers to Teaching: Qualitative Analysis

BACKGROUND

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a doctoral-level public health qualitative research methods course was moved to a web-based format. One module originally required students to conduct in-person observations within the community, but the curriculum was adapted using a web-based video game exercise.

OBJECTIVE

This study sought to evaluate students' perceptions of this adaptation and determine whether the new pilot format successfully met the module's original learning objectives.

METHODS

Recorded footage of a video game session was used for students to observe, take field notes, and compare the results. Qualitative methods were used to evaluate student feedback on the curriculum and determine whether the original learning objectives were met. Data were analyzed using a directed content analysis.

RESULTS

The findings demonstrate that all the learning objectives of this adapted qualitative observational research assignment using a web-based video game exercise were successfully met; namely, the students learned how to compare and contrast the observational notes of peers and to evaluate how personal bias and environmental factors can affect qualitative data collection. The assignment was also positively received by the students.

CONCLUSIONS

The results align with the constructivist learning theory and other successful COVID-19 implementations. Our study demonstrates that the learning objectives of a qualitative observational assignment can be addressed given that there are proper forethought and delivery when the assignment is adapted to a web-based context using a video game exercise.

Commercial Off-The-Shelf Video Games for Reducing Stress and Anxiety: Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Using commercial off-the-shelf video games rather than custom-made computer games could have several advantages for reducing stress and anxiety, including their low cost, advanced graphics, and the possibility to reach millions of individuals worldwide. However, it is important to emphasize that not all commercial video games are equal, and their effects strongly depend on specific characteristics of the games.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this systematic review was to describe the literature on the use of commercial off-the-shelf video games for diminishing stress and anxiety, examining the research outcomes along with critical variables related to computer game characteristics (ie, genre, platform, time of play).

METHODS

A systematic search of the literature was performed following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines. The search databases were PsycINFO, Web of Science, Medline, IEEExplore, and the Cochrane Library. The search string was: [("video game*") OR ("computer game*")] AND [("stress") OR ("anxiety") OR ("relaxation")] AND [("study") OR ("trial") OR ("training")].

RESULTS

A total of 28 studies met the inclusion criteria for the publication period 2006-2021. The findings demonstrate the benefit of commercial off-the-shelf video games for reducing stress in children, adults, and older adults. The majority of the retrieved studies recruited young adults, and fewer studies have involved children, middle-aged adults, and older adults. In addition to exergames and casual video games, other genres of commercial off-the-shelf games helped to reduce stress and anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

Efficacy in reducing stress and anxiety has been demonstrated not only for exergames and casual video games but also for other genres such as action games, action-adventure games, and augmented reality games. Various gaming platforms, including consoles, PCs, smartphones, mobile consoles, and virtual reality systems, have been used with positive results. Finally, even single and short sessions of play had benefits in reducing stress and anxiety.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols INPLASY202130081; https://inplasy.com/?s=INPLASY202130081.

Traces Of The Brain’s Learning Potential Present Within “Uneducational” Video Games

Video games, especially in mobile devices, have the reputation of being negative to the mass consumer. They are thought to be addictive, mind-numbing time waster. But is that really true? A study has been conducted to analyze video games design styles based on neuroaffective computational model using electroencephalogram (EEG). Although the objective is to classify abstract and realistic design styles, a different off-topic materials have been discovered. During the data collection, subjects completed an aptitude test using an online instrument provided by the Cambridge University’s Brain Lab. The EEG instruments recorded specific brain functions (cognitive, memory, verbal, creativity) separately. After classifying the data with emotional response, each brain functions give unique valence versus arousal scatter plot. What is interesting, however, is that when all of them plotted together in a single chart, they form a pattern similar to the data collected for playing video games. Could it possibly be that playing video games indeed stimulate specific brain functions? Or are these similarities in valence versus arousal plots just plain coincidences? A future research designed for brain function correlation using other model than emotions can confirm these findings. But for now, the consistency of these findings for all the subjects are hard to ignore.

“Brutal Kill!” Violent video games as a predictor of aggression

Abstract In recent years, many international studies have investigated the relationship between violent games and violence, aggressiveness and delinquent behavior, but there are scarce studies in Brazil on the subject. The aim of this research was to investigate the relationship between dispositional behavior and antisocial behavior correlated with the playing of violent content video games. A total of 249 high school students participated in the study, of which 154 were women and 95 were men, aged 13-20 years (M = 15.4, DP = 1.12), who responded the following scales: Big Five Inventory, Buss and Perry Aggression Questionnaire, Antisocial and Criminal Behaviors Questionnaire and a new Scale of Video Games Violence. The regressions performed indicated that the violent games, antisocial behavior, anger and sex were predictors for physical aggression. In conclusion, the study confirms the hypothesis of the General Aggression Model on human aggression in which violent games are associated with aggressive behavior.

Stigma-Stop: A Serious Game against the Stigma toward Mental Health in Educational Settings

This paper presents the results from the application of a serious game called Stigma-Stop among a group of high school students with the aim of reducing the stigma toward mental illnesses. The video game features characters with various mental disorders (schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, and panic disorder with agoraphobia) and provides information about these problems. Additionally, the game asks players about whether they have ever felt the same as the characters, if they believe the characters are psychologically well, and if they think they could help these individuals. Similarly, a variety of reactions are provided for players to choose from when they encounter the characters with these problems. A total of 552 students between the ages of 14 and 18 participated in the study, and they were randomly assigned to either the experimental group, which used Stigma-Stop, or the control group, which utilized a video game completely unrelated to mental health. Both video games were used for similar lengths of time. Following the application of Stigma-Stop, a statistically significant decrease was obtained in levels of stigma toward schizophrenia, both in terms of stereotypes and, to a greater extent, its potential dangerousness. However, this was not the case in the control group. Results thus demonstrate the video game's usefulness toward eradicating erroneous notions about serious mental disorders like schizophrenia.