Abstract:

The theory of transfer of learning is applied in the research and development of information literacy educational game to explore how to promote the transfer of learning of procedural knowledge and to effectively improve students’ information skills. In allusion to the typical structure characteristics of procedural knowledge in database navigation system, a minigame Grandpa’s Cellar is designed in which players get familiar with different database navigation system and indentify the common feature in the process of performing a series of game tasks of seeking tokens. A laboratory test is taken to examine the effectiveness of gamebased learning, and after game, play subjects are asked to carry out a series of practical tasks to check how learning transfer happens. It is found out that for procedural knowledge such as database navigation, the strategy of rehearsing in game is able to help students identify the characteristics of knowledge and realize successful near transfer as well as a certain degree of far transfer to application situation, and produce wonderful game experiences and learning outcome.

Key words: Information literacy educational game, Game-based learning, Transfer of learning, Game of database navigation