USE OF ROLE-PLAYING GAMES IN EDUCATION

Abstract

Research suggests that game-based education encourages motivation and drives
academic progress. Role-playing games integrate challenge, narrative, and
collaboration within the overarching theme of character and player development. The
review article delves into literature around the international use of role-playing games
in education. The findings from multiple qualitative and quantitative research studies
are analysed to identify trends and gaps in the research. The findings support the
suggestion that role-playing games are being used to develop collaboration and
communication skills, and that their educational potential increases when paired with
a formal debrief period. Limitations to the current use of role-playing games are
identified as varied levels of student and teacher experience with games and small
sample sizes of existing studies.