Type of Culminating Activity Doctor of Education in Curriculum
and Instruction Curriculum, Instruction, and Foundational
Studies Jennifer Snow, Ph.D. Critics of the American education
system point to student boredom, lack of personalized and
relevant instruction, and a deficit of 21st century skills as
challenges to producing productive citizens of a modern, digital
society (Barab et al., 2009; Eccles & Wingfield, 2002; Ketelhut,
2007; U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational
Technology, 2010). Digital learning, including game-based
approaches, offers opportunities to bring about meaningful,
engaging, individualized learning (Barab & Dede, 2007; Gee,
2005; Squire, 2003). Quest-based learning is an instructional
design theory of game-based learning that focuses on student
activity choice within the curriculum, which offers promising
pedagogical possibilities in the area. This study expands upon
current research of video game characteristics and variables of
attractiveness in learner choice. Identifyi