Date of Award

12-1-2023

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

College/School/Department

College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity

Dissertation/Thesis Chair

Caroline “Caro” Williams-Pierce

Committee Members

George Berg

Keywords

Collaborative Problem Solving, Games

Subject Categories

Library and Information Science

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to gain a better understanding of the impact of game mechanics on developing collaborative problem solving (CPS) skills. CPS skills are important for the complex work environments of the 21st century, and games appear to provide potential learning experiences where such skills can develop. The research questions of this study tackled how collaborative problem solving skills developed and how game environments through game mechanics can contribute to such development. Following a qualitative approach, the interactions between dyads in a puzzle game was analyzed using the PISA Collaborative Problem Solving framework (2015). This research contributed to the knowledge needed to support a new generation of learning environments conducive to collaborative problem solving skills based on games. The study explored the impact of a puzzle game, Portal 2 co-op which is a collaborative game where players work together to solve puzzles, on collaborative problem solving skills in two dyads. The researcher used PISA as a framework to measure the collaborative problem solving skills of each individual in every level providing a quantitative score that represented the CPS skills. PISA was also used as the framework to guide the qualitative analysis of the interactions among players and between players and the game, including their spoken words, their interactions with the game elements and the use of the mechanics. To better capture the intended mechanics and other game elements in Portal 2, Jarvinen’s framework for assessing game elements was used to identify those different elements including the goals of each level and sub-challenges within each level. The researcher found that while PISA can be used to guide the assessment of collaborative problem solving skills in interactive and fluid environments such as games,

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