Examining and Comparing the Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Serious Games and LEGO Serious Play for Learning Scrum

Abstract

Significant research work has been undertaken related to the game-based learning approach over the last years. However, a closer look at this work reveals that further research is needed to examine some types of game-based learning approaches such as virtual reality serious games and LEGO Serious Play. This article examines and compares the effectiveness for learning Scrum and related agile practices of a serious game based on virtual reality and a learning activity based on the LEGO Serious Play methodology. The presented study used a quasi-experimental design with two groups, pre- and post-tests, and a perceptions questionnaire. The sample was composed of 59 software engineering students, 22 of which belonged to group A, while the other 37 were part of group B. The students in group A played the virtual reality serious game, whereas the students in group B conducted the LEGO Serious Play activity. The results show that both game-based learning approaches were effective for learning Scrum and related agile practices in terms of learning performance and motivation, but they also show that the students who played the virtual reality serious game outperformed their peers from the other group in terms of learning performance.

Serious Games in Higher Education in the Transforming Process to Education 4.0—Systematized Review

“…Two of these games additionally use points [44][45][46]. Points are awarded in seven other games, but never without using an additional game element [27,32,35,37,39,41,50]. Similarly, the element of challenge is mostly used in combination with other elements [27,28,31,35,[37][38][39][40]49].…”

“…Mini-games within the game are used in three games [28,40,50]. One game is designed as a quiz [33], another as a story-driven adventure [40], one as a strategic board game [41], and one in the IT security domain as a tower defense game [29].…”

“…The game in the field of pharmacy especially stands out because actors are used for the simulation and only realistic software is used for the activities in the pharmacy [45,46]. Augmented, mixed, or virtual reality is used by four games in the area of computer science [32,50], medicine [42], and engineering [36]. More than half of the games (n = 15) are designed for single players, eight for multiple players.…”

“…Two games impart knowledge about SCRUM, a procedure that structures the development of software in teams. Steghöfer and Burden [34] focus on teaching the necessary knowledge and skills, while Gordillo et al [50] use and compare different methods for teaching.…”