The role of online games in promoting young adults' civic engagement

• Published in: Educational media international Vol. 53; no. 1; pp. 53 - 67
• Main Authors: Themistokleous, Sotiris, Avraamidou, Lucy
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Routledge 02-01-2016; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Citizen Participation; Citizenship Education; civic education; Computer Games; Context Effect; Design Requirements; Educational Principles; Educational Technology; Games; Online Courses; Online entertainment; Online games; Relevance (Education); Role Perception; Skill Development; Teaching Methods; Technology Uses in Education; Young Adults
• ISSN: 0952-3987; 1469-5790
• DOI: 10.1080/09523987.2016.1192352

In this review, we present an argument for the need to support young adult's civic engagement and we explore the role of online games in supporting such engagement. In doing so, in the first section of the paper, we offer a definition for civic education and citizenship alongside a discussion for the pedagogical frameworks that better support young adults' development of related skills. Following that, we synthesize existing research findings on the role of online games in supporting young adults' civic engagement. Based on the outcomes of this review, in the last section of the paper, we offer a set of game design principles alongside suggestions for pedagogical approaches and organization of learning environments that have the potential to maximize young adults' civic engagement.