ANALYSIS OF FACTORS INFLUENCING PERCEIVED EFFECTIVENESS OF DIGITAL SIMULATION GAMES IN TEACHING DESIGN FOR SAFETY (DFS)

Abstract

Workers in the construction industry face a higher risk of getting into accidents due to the labour-intensive nature of the job and the dangerous environment. Over the years, the concept of Design for Safety (DfS) has been increasingly recognised amongst industry practitioners. Researchers have found that most construction accidents could be prevented. Despite greater acceptance of DfS, it is still not widely practised, suggesting that current training methods are ineffective and incapable of delivering the intended outcomes. Thus, there is a need to seek other forms of training to transition away from the traditional passive modes of teaching in the industry. The use of digital game-based learning (DGBL) has been proven to be effective as an educational tool in various industries. However, its effectiveness on adult learners and the influence of the different game features on the users have rarely been discussed. In this study, a prototype digital simulation game, SafeSim Design (SSD), was developed to simulate construction sites to provide design professionals in the construction industry with an authentic experience of the DfS process. Eight game features were identified as the focus of this study. A mixed-methods cross-sectional research design investigated their influence on the players’ perceived effectiveness of using the game to learn DfS. Results suggested that the chosen game features have enhanced the players’ overall game experience, with student learners reacting more positively to the game’s presentation, storyline, the realism of game context, interactivity, and challenging features.