Influence of adaptability of Serious Games on learning outcomes and the application of knowledge and skills in professional training

This paper explores the use of Serious Games in professional training through e-learning, aiming to enhance the teaching-learning process by employing adaptive Serious Games. Despite their long-standing application in professional development, there is a need for more evidence-based approaches to evaluate their effectiveness. The study utilises the Design Science Research (DSR) methodology to develop the Framework for Adaptive Serious Games (F 4 ASG), which adapts game elements to achieve optimal learning and engagement outcomes. Grounded in existing literature, expert input, and user experiences, F 4 ASG focuses on learning outcomes and adaptive mechanisms as key features for Serious Game development and assessment. The research began with a systematic literature review and proceeded with iterative evaluations of the framework via focus groups, expert interviews, and an experimental study using a developed Serious Game. These evaluations informed subsequent refinements, culminating in the third and final version of F 4 ASG. The findings offer new insights and practical applications for the effective use of Serious Games in professional training. The F 4 ASG serves as a comprehensive guide for creating and assessing adaptive Serious Games that foster improved learning and engagement.