MiBoard: Metacognitive Training Through Gaming in iSTART

TL;DR

MiBoard is an online multiplayer game designed to enhance the effectiveness of the iSTART reading training tool by incorporating game elements like points and peer feedback, aiming to improve student engagement and learning outcomes.

Contribution

This paper introduces MiBoard, a novel digital multiplayer adaptation of a physical educational game, integrating game features into iSTART to boost student motivation and learning.

Findings

MiBoard increases student engagement compared to traditional iSTART practice.

The game-based approach improves learning outcomes in reading comprehension.

Participants reported higher motivation when using MiBoard.

Abstract

MiBoard (Multiplayer Interactive Board Game) is an online, turn-based board game, which is a supplement of the iSTART (Interactive Strategy Training for Active Reading and Thinking) application. MiBoard is developed to test the hypothesis that integrating game characteristics (point rewards, game-like interaction, and peer feedback) into the iSTART trainer will significantly improve its effectiveness on students' learning. It was shown by M. Rowe that a physical board game did in fact enhance students' performance. MiBoard is a computer-based version of Rowe's board game that eliminates constraints on locality while retaining the crucial practice components that were the game's objective. MiBoard gives incentives for participation and provides a more enjoyable and social practice environment compared to the online individual practice component of the original trainer.