In this TILE seminar, Dr Daisy Abbott explores the transformative potential of game-based learning (GBL) in teaching research skills in higher education. As an interdisciplinary researcher, Abbott advocates for GBL as a dynamic and engaging method to address the low satisfaction and motivation typically associated with research skills training. She distinguishes between true game-based learning—where learning occurs through gameplay—and gamification, which merely overlays game-like elements on traditional tasks.
Abbott argues that GBL aligns well with higher-order learning outcomes and metacognitive skills emphasised in Bloom’s taxonomy. Drawing on constructivist pedagogy, she highlights how GBL fosters autonomy, decision-making, and active participation. Through survey data, she reveals that educators overwhelmingly support GBL for its emotional and experiential benefits, though they caution against a one-size-fits-all approach.
Abbott shares her own GBL tools, such as the “Creative Thinking Quest” and “How to Fail Your Research Degree,” which tailor learning paths through user choices and emphasise emotional engagement. She also curates a wide range of games addressing research-adjacent topics like plagiarism, critical thinking, and digital curation.
In conclusion, Abbott emphasises GBL as a complementary—not replacement—strategy that requires thoughtful design, inclusivity, and consideration of learner diversity and preferences to succeed in diverse educational contexts.
[This summary was generated by AI and checked for accuracy and edited by a human.]
Abstract
Research skills training is both crucial and ubiquitous in Higher Education (HE), however there are a range of pedagogical challenges in effectively delivering research capabilities and learning outcomes. The move towards constructivism, including game-based learning (GBL) techniques, in research skills training has been shown to improve outcomes for students, yet GBL for research skills is under-researched compared to other application domains. This talk gives insights into my research into GBL to complement existing research skills training provision in universities. The talk will contextualise the theory of GBL and also provide practical opportunities for attendees to engage with existing GBL offerings for research and study skills.
About the speaker
Dr Daisy Abbott is an interdisciplinary researcher and research developer. Her current research focusses on game-based learning, serious games, 3D visualisation, and issues surrounding digital interactions in the arts and humanities. In particular, she is investigating the use of games to teach academic and research skills in Higher Education. Daisy is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Certified Leading Practitioner of Learning Development. She is a peer reviewer for a range of serious game journals, a judge for the GaLA serious games competition, and has been a reviewer for both the AHRC and the EPSRC. Her publications can be found at https://radar.gsa.ac.uk/view/creators/436.html and her personal research blog is https://gamebasedlearninginhe.wordpress.com/
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