Exergaming-induced pleasure and dominance

Abstract

Given the importance of engagement on learning, researchers have focused on methods for increasing engagement. One of well-known method for increase engagement is promoting positive emotion. In this light, we suspect that this method also effective in learning context. To examine this, we are interested in employing exergaming in consideration of its emotional and cognitive benefits. However, despite the potential merits of exergaming on the learning process, studies that examine its post-play effect on learning tasks are rare. In this paper, we examine whether exergaming prior to learning affect emotion, engagement with lecture, and learning. We present a between subjects experimental study with 40 students who watched an online lecture on biology. Our data showed that exergaming could induce pleasure and dominance, subsequently acting as a medium for engagement, which is valuable in learning. The results also showed that participants who had higher dominance exhibited greater levels of pleasure.