An intelligent-agent-based collaborative serious game model to support virtual learning processes

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to propose and validate a model of a collaborative serious game that improves teamwork interactions and that encourages student participation. The serious game proposes a gamification approach to assess knowledge of students working in teams and to identify cognitive failures. In order to validate the proposed model, a serious game prototype called COLEGA (Collaborative Learning Game) was built and tested with a case study in a controlled environment: the artificial intelligence course at the Faculty of Mines of the National University of Colombia (Medellin). The results show student acceptance of computational environments that integrate gamification approaches along with collaborative techniques to improve their learning. It is concluded that the serious game model, based on intelligent agents and collaborative learning, provides mechanisms that motivate collaboration and activity participation.