Examining and Comparing the Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Serious Games and LEGO Serious Play for Learning Scrum

TL;DR

This study compares virtual reality serious games and LEGO Serious Play in teaching Scrum, finding both effective but VR games lead to better learning performance among software engineering students.

Contribution

It provides a comparative analysis of VR serious games and LEGO Serious Play for Scrum education, highlighting VR's superior effectiveness in learning performance.

Findings

Both approaches improved Scrum learning and motivation.

VR serious game students outperformed LEGO group in learning performance.

Both methods are effective for game-based Scrum education.

Abstract

Significant research work has been undertaken related to the game-based learning approach over the last years. However, a closer look at this work reveals that further research is needed to examine some types of game-based learning approaches such as virtual reality serious games and LEGO Serious Play. This article examines and compares the effectiveness for learning Scrum and related agile practices of a serious game based on virtual reality and a learning activity based on the LEGO Serious Play methodology. The presented study used a quasi-experimental design with two groups, pre- and post-tests, and a perceptions questionnaire. The sample was composed of 59 software engineering students, 22 of which belonged to group A, while the other 37 were part of group B. The students in group A played the virtual reality serious game, whereas the students in group B conducted the LEGO Serious Play activity. The results show that both game-based learning approaches were effective for learning Scrum and related agile practices in terms of learning performance and motivation, but they also show that the students who played the virtual reality serious game outperformed their peers from the other group in terms of learning performance.