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Longitudinal analysis of sustained performance on gamified cognitive assessment tasks
You Zhi Hu1, Jacqueline Urakami2, Hsi Tiana Wei3,4
1Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Applied Neuropsychology. Adult
|February 23, 2022
Summary
Enjoyment keeps people playing cognitive assessment games, while higher motivation drives learning in difficult games. This research explores the balance between fun and challenge in serious games for better cognitive performance.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Science
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Educational Technology
Background:
- Serious games offer engaging alternatives for cognitive assessment.
- Understanding factors influencing sustained engagement and performance is crucial for developing effective serious games.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between game-playing enjoyment, perceived difficulty, motivation, and cognitive performance in serious games.
- To determine how these factors impact user engagement and learning over time.
Main Methods:
- Two studies were conducted with participants playing serious games over multiple sessions.
- Data collected included game performance, enjoyment ratings, and motivation levels.
- Study designs varied in participant pool, motivation (course credit vs. project grade), and duration.
Main Results:
- Higher motivation significantly improved performance in difficult working memory games.
- Enjoyment was key for sustained play, particularly in easier games.
- Despite lower popularity, participants improved significantly in more challenging working memory tasks.
Conclusions:
- Enjoyment is vital for long-term engagement with cognitive assessment games.
- Motivation is a critical factor for overcoming challenges and enhancing learning in difficult serious games.
- A balance between enjoyability and appropriate challenge, supported by motivation, is essential for effective serious game-based cognitive assessment.
