A shiny update to an old experiment game

TL;DR

This paper introduces an updated educational game that uses a shiny app to teach modern nonparametric response surface methodology, balancing realism and caricature to enhance student understanding of statistical concepts.

Contribution

It presents a novel interactive game design that integrates real-world simulation with modern statistical topics, improving learning and engagement.

Findings

Students gained practical experience with nonparametric response surfaces.

The game demonstrated effective reinforcement of complex statistical concepts.

Positive student feedback on engagement and understanding.

Abstract

Games can be a powerful tool for learning about statistical methodology. Effective game design involves a fine balance between caricature and realism, to simultaneously illustrate salient concepts in a controlled setting and serve as a testament to real-world applicability. Striking that balance is particularly challenging in response surface and design domains, where real-world scenarios often play out over long time scales, during which theories are revised, model and inferential techniques are improved, and knowledge is updated. Here I present a game, borrowing liberally from one first played over forty years ago, that attempts to achieve that balance while reinforcing a cascade of topics in modern nonparametric response surfaces, sequential design and optimization. The game embeds a blackbox simulation within a shiny app whose interface is designed to simulate a realistic information-availability setting, while offering a stimulating, competitive environment wherein students can try out new methodology, and ultimately appreciate its power and limitations. Interface, rules, timing with course material, and evaluation are described, along with a "case study" involving a cohort of students at Virginia Tech.