Assessment of Learners' Motivation during Interactions with Serious Games: A Study of Some Motivational Strategies in Food-Force

This study investigated motivational strategies and the assessment of learners‟ motivation during serious game play. Identifying and intelligently assessing the effects that these strategies may have on learners are particularly relevance for educational computer-based systems. We proposed, therefore, the use of physiological sensors, namely heart rate, skin conductance, and electroencephalogram (EEG), as well as a theoretical model of motivation (Keller‟s ARCS model) to evaluate six motivational strategies selected from a serious game called Food-Force. Results from non-parametric tests and logistic regressions supported the hypothesis that physiological patterns and their evolution are suitable tools to directly and reliably assess the effects of selected strategies on learners‟ motivation. They showed that specific EEG “attention ratio” was significant predictor of learners‟ motivation and could relevantly evaluate motivational strategies, especially associated with the Attention and Confidence categories of the ARCS model of motivation. Serious games and intelligent systems can greatly benefit from using these results to enhance and adapt their interventions.