A systematic review of serious games as tools for STEM education
ObjectiveSerious games are increasingly recognized as innovative tools in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, providing engaging and interactive learning environments that can enhance student performance, engagement, and learning outcomes. This systematic review aims...
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| Format: | Article |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Education |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1432982/full |
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| author | Talia Tene Diego Fabián Vique López Paulina Elizabeth Valverde Aguirre Nilo Israel Cabezas Oviedo Cristian Vacacela Gomez Stefano Bellucci |
| author_facet | Talia Tene Diego Fabián Vique López Paulina Elizabeth Valverde Aguirre Nilo Israel Cabezas Oviedo Cristian Vacacela Gomez Stefano Bellucci |
| author_sort | Talia Tene |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ObjectiveSerious games are increasingly recognized as innovative tools in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, providing engaging and interactive learning environments that can enhance student performance, engagement, and learning outcomes. This systematic review aims to synthesize current research on serious games in STEM education, evaluating their impact and identifying implications for educators, policymakers, and future research.MethodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted across Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and IEEE Xplore databases, yielding 584 articles. A total of 37 peer-reviewed journal articles met the inclusion criteria, guided by the PICOS framework, which focused on studies reporting the use of serious games in STEM education contexts. Data extraction included study characteristics, game types, participant demographics, educational contexts, and reported outcomes.AnalysisThe selected studies were analyzed to assess the effectiveness of serious games in enhancing learning outcomes, engagement, and performance in STEM education. The analysis also explored challenges related to the implementation of serious games, including technological limitations, the need for comprehensive educator training, and ethical considerations around data privacy, all of which may impact adoption in educational settings.ResultsSerious games demonstrated a positive impact on learning outcomes, such as knowledge acquisition, skill retention, and the application of STEM concepts, along with increased student engagement and motivation. These findings suggest that serious games can serve as valuable tools for educators seeking to foster active learning environments. For policymakers, the results indicate a need for strategic investments in technology infrastructure, teacher training, and curriculum integration to maximize the benefits of serious games in STEM education. However, significant limitations were identified, including technological barriers, variability in study quality, and the need for sustained educator support, which may impact generalizability and implementation.ConclusionThis review highlights the transformative potential of serious games as tools for STEM education but emphasizes the importance of addressing key challenges to realize their full benefits. For educators, implementing serious games requires alignment with curriculum goals and access to adequate training and resources. Policymakers are encouraged to support these efforts by providing financial resources and promoting frameworks for ethical, data-secure use of serious games in education. Future research should focus on establishing a globally recognized framework for serious games in STEM, conducting longitudinal studies to evaluate long-term impacts, and exploring diverse educational contexts to ensure inclusive and effective integration. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-86b25d0568614ca3b2ba93a2926b2022 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2504-284X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Education |
| spelling | doaj-art-86b25d0568614ca3b2ba93a2926b20222025-02-07T15:17:14ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Education2504-284X2025-02-011010.3389/feduc.2025.14329821432982A systematic review of serious games as tools for STEM educationTalia Tene0Diego Fabián Vique López1Paulina Elizabeth Valverde Aguirre2Nilo Israel Cabezas Oviedo3Cristian Vacacela Gomez4Stefano Bellucci5Department of Chemistry, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja, EcuadorFacultad de Ciencias, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH), Riobamba, EcuadorFacultad de Ciencias, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH), Riobamba, EcuadorFacultad de Ciencias Pecuarias, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH), Riobamba, EcuadorINFN-Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Frascati, ItalyINFN-Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Frascati, ItalyObjectiveSerious games are increasingly recognized as innovative tools in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, providing engaging and interactive learning environments that can enhance student performance, engagement, and learning outcomes. This systematic review aims to synthesize current research on serious games in STEM education, evaluating their impact and identifying implications for educators, policymakers, and future research.MethodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted across Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and IEEE Xplore databases, yielding 584 articles. A total of 37 peer-reviewed journal articles met the inclusion criteria, guided by the PICOS framework, which focused on studies reporting the use of serious games in STEM education contexts. Data extraction included study characteristics, game types, participant demographics, educational contexts, and reported outcomes.AnalysisThe selected studies were analyzed to assess the effectiveness of serious games in enhancing learning outcomes, engagement, and performance in STEM education. The analysis also explored challenges related to the implementation of serious games, including technological limitations, the need for comprehensive educator training, and ethical considerations around data privacy, all of which may impact adoption in educational settings.ResultsSerious games demonstrated a positive impact on learning outcomes, such as knowledge acquisition, skill retention, and the application of STEM concepts, along with increased student engagement and motivation. These findings suggest that serious games can serve as valuable tools for educators seeking to foster active learning environments. For policymakers, the results indicate a need for strategic investments in technology infrastructure, teacher training, and curriculum integration to maximize the benefits of serious games in STEM education. However, significant limitations were identified, including technological barriers, variability in study quality, and the need for sustained educator support, which may impact generalizability and implementation.ConclusionThis review highlights the transformative potential of serious games as tools for STEM education but emphasizes the importance of addressing key challenges to realize their full benefits. For educators, implementing serious games requires alignment with curriculum goals and access to adequate training and resources. Policymakers are encouraged to support these efforts by providing financial resources and promoting frameworks for ethical, data-secure use of serious games in education. Future research should focus on establishing a globally recognized framework for serious games in STEM, conducting longitudinal studies to evaluate long-term impacts, and exploring diverse educational contexts to ensure inclusive and effective integration.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1432982/fullserious gameSTEM educationPICOSPRISMA guidelinesteaching and learning |
| spellingShingle | Talia Tene Diego Fabián Vique López Paulina Elizabeth Valverde Aguirre Nilo Israel Cabezas Oviedo Cristian Vacacela Gomez Stefano Bellucci A systematic review of serious games as tools for STEM education Frontiers in Education serious game STEM education PICOS PRISMA guidelines teaching and learning |
| title | A systematic review of serious games as tools for STEM education |
| title_full | A systematic review of serious games as tools for STEM education |
| title_fullStr | A systematic review of serious games as tools for STEM education |
| title_full_unstemmed | A systematic review of serious games as tools for STEM education |
| title_short | A systematic review of serious games as tools for STEM education |
| title_sort | systematic review of serious games as tools for stem education |
| topic | serious game STEM education PICOS PRISMA guidelines teaching and learning |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1432982/full |
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