Impact of Gaming Attributes om Measures training Effectiveness (IGAME)

Traditional military training is becoming increasingly constrained by logistical challenges, geographic distribution of personnel, and limited resources, leading to an increased interest in game-based training approaches. However, training developers need to better understand how to develop game-based training that is motivating and engaging, but still pedagogically sound. The IGAME effort proposes to develop a predictive model-based tool, and associated metrics, to assess the impact of gaming attributes on training outcomes, IGAME will inform training designers, prior to investment, of the tradeoffs in training effectiveness associated with varying gaming attributes. Aptima will base the IGAME on a theoretical framework that links gaming attributes to Navy-relevant training outcomes. Aptima will also identify trainee characteristics and training context variables that may influence the relationship between gaming attributes and training outcomes. In Phase I, pilot tests will expand the theoretical framework and validate the functions and algorithms that drive the IGAME tool. In Phase II, Aptima will conduct additional experimentation to further expand the theoretical framework, validate the model, and compare game variants to define when and how to use games for training. To ensure success, the Aptima team will apply their knowledge of game-based training, predictive modeling, model based experimentation, and experimental design.BENEFITS: The IGAME tool will provide training designers the ability to anticipate the impact of gaming attributes on training outcomes. The IGAME tool will aid training designers in determining what knowledge and skills can effectively be trained within games having of varying attributes. In addition, the PERFORM tool will allow training designers to understand, prior to investment, the tradeoffs in training effectiveness associated with varying gaming attributes. The framework that constitutes the IGAME tool will allow a transparent view of the current state of research on game-based approaches to training. This transparency will provide researchers with a sound understanding of what previous research has addressed and where further experimentation is required.