Pathfinder: a modified collaborative game for learning and team development

Area of Science:

• Educational Psychology
• Game-Based Learning

Background:

• Active learning techniques, like games, offer engaging experiences but can be time-consuming for educators.
• Integrating games into curricula presents challenges in faculty adoption and time commitment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt an existing leadership activity into a Pathfinder® game for educational and recruitment purposes.
• To assess the effectiveness and engagement of the Pathfinder® game in a learning environment.

Main Methods:

• Modified a leadership activity into an interactive, cooperative Pathfinder® maze game with embedded knowledge quizzes.
• Participants navigated a physical maze, answering quiz questions along a predetermined path.
• Collected feedback through a descriptive survey from 36 students post-game.

Main Results:

• 75% of students agreed the game enhanced their learning experience.
• 86% of students found the game fun and/or engaging.
• The game facilitated low-stakes knowledge assessment, team building, and communication practice.

Conclusions:

• The Pathfinder® game is a highly adaptable, engaging, and effective tool for active learning, knowledge retention, and skill development.
• Requires minimal preparation time and can be modified for diverse disciplines, though physical space is necessary.
• Offers a unique approach to student empowerment and immediate feedback in educational settings.