Authors:
Fan Zhang
;
Simone Hausknecht
;
Robyn Schell
and
David Kaufman
Affiliation:
Simon Fraser University, Canada
Keyword(s):
Wii Bowling, Digital Games, Game Attitudes, Older Adults, Social Fun and Competition.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Collaboration and e-Services
;
Computer-Supported Education
;
e-Business
;
e-Learning
;
Enterprise Information Systems
;
Game-Based and Simulation-Based Learning
;
Information Technologies Supporting Learning
;
Learning/Teaching Methodologies and Assessment
;
Lifelong Learning: Continuing Professional Training & Development
;
Social Context and Learning Environments
;
Virtual Learning Environments
Abstract:
This study examined the effectiveness of a Wii Bowling tournament for improving older adults’ attitudes towards digital games. A total of 142 older adults were recruited from 14 senior centers; 81 were placed in the experimental group and 61 in the control group. Participants in the experimental group played in teams of four members formed within each participating site. The 81 participants in the experimental group formed a total of 21 teams, which played against one another in an 8-week tournament. The findings indicate that the Wii Bowling tournament was an effective way to improve older adults’ attitudes towards digital games (t = 2.53, p = .01). Consistent with the findings in previous studies, this research found that co-located social gaming creates a natural context for fun, immersion, and competition.