A Framework for Simplifying Educator Tasks Related to the Integration of Games in the Learning Flow

The integration of educational video games in educational settings in general, and e-learning systems in particular, can be challenging for educators. We propose a framework that aims to facilitate educators’ participation in the creation and modification of courses that use educational games. Our approach addresses problems identified by previous experiences with games in educational settings, including assessment of learning outcomes and student tracking. Our framework has been implemented following an application model that takes advantage of pre-existing systems: the educational video game framework and the Learning Activity Management System (LAMS). This approach has been put into practice in a case study carried out in a primary school, covering from the design of the learning experience to the development of the educational games and the deployment and evaluation with students, involving the educators actively and gathering their perceptions. The first impressions expressed by the educators support the potential of the framework in terms of the students' assessment and the personalization of the lesson. Although educators pointed out the difficulty of creating games from scratch, they appreciated the easiness of introducing existing games in their courses and adapting them to their specific educational settings.