Share Paper: Learning Scientific Inquiry by Asking Questions in an Educational Game

  1. Keith Millis, Northern Illinois University, United States
  2. Zhiqiang Cai, University of Memphis, United States
  3. Art Graesser, University of Memphis, United States
  4. Diane Halpern, Claremont McKenna College, United States
  5. Patty Wallace, Northern Illinois University, United States
Tuesday, October 27 11:15 AM-12:15 PM Junior Ballroom D

Abstract: This paper describes a question facility within a learning environment that combines intelligent tutoring and gaming technologies. The question facility teaches students how to critically evaluate research by asking scientists questions about their research. In the game, students interact with animated pedagogical agents that pose as teachers, interrogators, and scientists. Students are given various scaffolding and instructional aids to help them ask questions and recognize flaws in published studies in various media. The design of the question facility grows out of research indicating that students benefit from instruction in question asking.