DO COMPUTER-BASED GAMES FACILITATE KNOWLEDGE ACQUISITION AND RETENTION

This study investigated the effects of a gaming approach on knowledge acquisition and retention in military trainees. Three groups of traine es were presented with subject matter in paper-based prose form (text) , paper-based question-and-answer form (test), or computer-based gamin g form (game). These conditions were selected to investigate potential benefits of computer-based gaming over traditional paper-and-pencil m edia in terms of trainee performance and reaction. Results showed that participants assigned to the game condition scored significantly high er on a retention test compared to pretest performance. Furthermore, p articipants assigned to the game condition scored significantly higher on a retention test than did participants assigned to the text condit ion. Participants assigned to the test and text conditions showed no b enefit from training in performance at the retention test. In addition , participants assigned to the game condition rated the training they received as more enjoyable and more effective than did those assigned to the other 2 conditions. Results are discussed in terms of the effec tiveness of computer-based games for military training applications.