A systematic literature review: Game design elements in constructivistserious game.

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Title: A systematic literature review: Game design elements in constructivistserious game.
Authors: Razak, Insyirah Abd1 iabdrazak@graduate.utm.my, Rahiman, Nafisah Abdul1 b-nafisah@utm.my, Shukery, Nurshikin Mohamad1 b-nurshikin@utm.my
Source: Educational Technology & Society. Jul2026, Vol. 29 Issue 3, p83-113. 31p.
Subject Terms: *Learner autonomy, *Educational objectives, *STEM education, *Active learning, *Situated learning theory, *Problem-based learning, *Educational games, Video game design
Abstract: Serious games are recognized for promoting knowledge and skill transfer through active learning aligned with constructivist principles. However, the availability of guidelines on how specific game design elements align with these principles are limited. This study conducted a systematic literature review using Web of Science and ScienceDirect, analyzing 39 selected studies to profile trends in constructivist-serious games and identifying aligned GDEs. Findings showed that most studies focused on STEM subjects, targeted university students, used quantitative methods, and favored computer-based platforms. The most commonly applied theories were situated learning and problem-based learning. The most frequently used and strongly supported GDEs were "imposed choices", "sensations", and "objectives". This highlights the importance of learners' autonomy and clear educational objectives within an authentic learning environment in designing a constructivist-serious game. Each element was evaluated against four constructivist factors: interaction, problemsolving, active learning, and discovery, resulting in a conceptual mapping of GDEs to constructivist learning. These findings provide practical guidance for integrating constructivist principles into serious game design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Educational Technology & Society is the property of International Forum of Educational Technology & Society (IFETS) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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  Data: A systematic literature review: Game design elements in constructivistserious game.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Razak%2C+Insyirah+Abd%22">Razak, Insyirah Abd</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> iabdrazak@graduate.utm.my</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rahiman%2C+Nafisah+Abdul%22">Rahiman, Nafisah Abdul</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> b-nafisah@utm.my</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Shukery%2C+Nurshikin+Mohamad%22">Shukery, Nurshikin Mohamad</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> b-nurshikin@utm.my</i>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Educational+Technology+%26+Society%22">Educational Technology & Society</searchLink>. Jul2026, Vol. 29 Issue 3, p83-113. 31p.
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learner+autonomy%22">Learner autonomy</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+objectives%22">Educational objectives</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22STEM+education%22">STEM education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Active+learning%22">Active learning</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Situated+learning+theory%22">Situated learning theory</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Problem-based+learning%22">Problem-based learning</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+games%22">Educational games</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Video+game+design%22">Video game design</searchLink>
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  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Serious games are recognized for promoting knowledge and skill transfer through active learning aligned with constructivist principles. However, the availability of guidelines on how specific game design elements align with these principles are limited. This study conducted a systematic literature review using Web of Science and ScienceDirect, analyzing 39 selected studies to profile trends in constructivist-serious games and identifying aligned GDEs. Findings showed that most studies focused on STEM subjects, targeted university students, used quantitative methods, and favored computer-based platforms. The most commonly applied theories were situated learning and problem-based learning. The most frequently used and strongly supported GDEs were "imposed choices", "sensations", and "objectives". This highlights the importance of learners' autonomy and clear educational objectives within an authentic learning environment in designing a constructivist-serious game. Each element was evaluated against four constructivist factors: interaction, problemsolving, active learning, and discovery, resulting in a conceptual mapping of GDEs to constructivist learning. These findings provide practical guidance for integrating constructivist principles into serious game design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Educational Technology & Society is the property of International Forum of Educational Technology & Society (IFETS) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.30191/ETS.202607_29(3).RP06
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Learner autonomy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational objectives
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: STEM education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Active learning
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      – SubjectFull: Situated learning theory
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      – SubjectFull: Problem-based learning
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      – SubjectFull: Educational games
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      – SubjectFull: Video game design
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      – TitleFull: A systematic literature review: Game design elements in constructivistserious game.
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            NameFull: Razak, Insyirah Abd
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            NameFull: Rahiman, Nafisah Abdul
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            NameFull: Shukery, Nurshikin Mohamad
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            – D: 01
              M: 07
              Text: Jul2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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