THE POTENTIAL OF SERIOUS GAMES TO FOSTER LEARNING AMONG CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH DISABILITIES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Written by:
Christopher Keller, University of Basel, Switzerland
Anna K. Döring, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom
Elena Makarova, University of Basel, Switzerland

Abstract: Serious Games for children and adolescents with disabilities can enhance their learning and respond to their needs in an inclusive educational setting. The aim of this systematic review is to analyze the potential of Serious Games for children and young people with disabilities, thereby providing an overview of effective Serious Games for schools and practitioners in the field of inclusive education. For this purpose, a systematic review of empirical literature found in the database Education Resources Information Centre (ERIC) was conducted, applying a qualitative content analysis. Findings from the 21 reviewed quantitative and qualitative studies indicate that Serious Games provide effective support for achieving learning objectives in certain school subjects and facilitate optimal conditions for learning. We found that Serious Games have strong potential and can make an important contribution to the inclusion of children and adolescents with disabilities in school.

Keywords: serious games, children and adolescents with disabilities, inclusion, systematic review


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