Debriefing a Health-Related Educational Game: A Case Study

Abstract

This study sought to evaluate the utility of a Web-based game on the topic of immunity, based upon the work of Nobel Prize winner Ileya Mechnikov. This was accomplished through postgame written debriefing with an oral debriefing follow-up. A qualitative case study was conducted in a nonformal home setting. The participant learned new information, such as the capability of cells to alert the body to foreign pathogenic attack. Game dissatisfaction was described by the participant as well as suggestions for game improvement. The written debriefing response was generally briefer than the oral debriefing responses. While the participant gleaned information about immunity from the game without facilitator assistance, postgame debriefings aided the participant in reflection about the game. This was the first study to utilize a combination of postgame written and oral debriefing in the Nobel Prize Web-based game genre. It illustrates the value of postgame debriefing as an enhancement of the learning experience related to the health-related educational game.