Is There a Connection Between Playing Video Games and a Higher Motivation to Learn?

Abstract

It is plausible that video games might help adolescents stay engaged and focused, but it all depends on that they are using them. Much has been said about video games' ability to motivate people. One popular idea regarding online games is that they have been intrinsically entertaining and so motivating, and that studying video games may help us develop better educational settings. It has been proposed that games may assist people in developing their passion for learning and that adopting game design concepts can aid in learning. Despite such theoretical speculations about video games' possible motivational and academic advantages, it is unclear if the existing work on video games is expressly framed in terms of contemporary theories of motivation. Thus, the ultimate goal of this article is to critically examine video game studies in relation to accomplishment motivation literature. As a result, we begin with an overview of the key theoretical frameworks of accomplishment motivation. Following that, we examine the existing empirical evidence on computer games and education. We end with a short discussion of future approaches and research topics for how motivation may be employed as an academic concept in the study of computer games and studying in academic settings.