Gamestar Mechanic: Reflections on the Design (Research) of a Game about Game Design

Ivan Games

Abstract

This paper presents a design study on the research and development of Gamestar Mechanic, a game-based learning project where children learn 21st century language and literacy practices in the context of learning key principles of game design. Using a design research methodology for the overall project, and a case study methodology for individual testing and theory refinement iterations of the research, this paper presents a detailed account of the first two years of research and design of the game, in hopes of providing researchers, educators and instructional designers with some insights on the development and assessment of 21st century learning environments.